Council
29 October, 2026
Rate rise will hurt vulnerable families: charity
The Australian DIY Families Institute has launched a stunning attack on Wingecarribee Shire Council over plans to raise rates by 34.4 per cent through a Special Rates Variation(SRV).
The Australian DIY Families Institute has launched a stunning attack on Wingecarribee Shire Council over plans to raise rates by 34.4 per cent through a Special Rates Variation(SRV).
The charity – based in the Southern Highlands – has described the move as “deeply concerning”.
Chairman of the charity, James Fitzgibbons, has accused councillors of putting political allegiances ahead of community concerns.
As reported by The Southern Wire, council last week resolved to apply to the Independent Pricing and Administrative Tribunal (IPART) for a 34.4 per cent rate increase over three years.
Cr Sara Moylan was expelled from the chamber during the debate for saying she didn’t want to see ratepayers’ money being wasted.
Her comment was ruled an ‘act of disorder’.
Mr Fitzgibbons said local families were already doing it toughand many would struggle to cope with a hike in rates.
He said it would have “real consequences”.
Mr Fitzgibbons said every week the charity was assisting people under enormous financial pressure and “struggling to keep their heads above water”.
“We see firsthand the stress that mortgage repayments, rising living costs, groceries, insurance and electricity bills are placing on ordinary households.”
Mr Fitzgibbons said a 34 per cent rate increase would impact on “real families, pensioners, single parents and working people who are already asking themselves how they will pay the next bill”.
“A 34 per cent increase could push some households closer to financial hardship and leave even less money for food and other essentials.”
He suggested that council had failed to show compassion or any understanding “of what the community is actually going through”.
Mr Fitzgibbons said he would continue to speak up for the people the charity assists.
“We see the hardship behind the statistics and we know that when household budgets are stretched to breaking pointanother substantial increase in rates can have real consequences.”
As previously reported by The Southern Wire, local social worker Jodie Watson has also said that the proposed rate rise would push many families over the edge.
Ms Watson, the Service Manager at Highlands Community Centres, said 20 per cent of households across the Wingecarribee were low income and many residents were already “beyond their limits”.
Speaking at a meeting of the Southern Highlands Community Forum in June, Mrs Watson said even a modest increase in rates would be enough to push households from ‘barely coping’ into crisis.
She said increased financial stress would result in poorer health outcomes, greater isolation and reduced participation in community life.
A final decision on the proposed rates increase will be made by IPART next year.
If IPART approves council’s application, rates will change from July 1, 2027.
According to information being distributed by council following last week’s decision, IPART’s role is “to help the people of NSW get local government services at a fair price”.
IPART will conduct its own community consultation before making a decision and may potentially opt for a smaller increase or no increase at all.
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