Council
8 July, 2026
Sorry start to consultation process
The effectiveness of Wingecarribee Shire Council’s consultation process in relation to the proposed Special Rate Variation (SRV) has already been brought into question with a poor turnout at a drop-in session at Colo Vale tonight (Wednesday).
The effectiveness of Wingecarribee Shire Council’s consultation process in relation to the proposed Special Rate Variation (SRV) has already been brought into question with a poor turnout at a drop-in session at Colo Vale tonight (Wednesday).
Council staff nearly outnumbered residents at the first of a number of drop-in sessions scheduled as part of a two-month consultation process and it was all over in less than two hours.
As already reported by The Southern Wire, council is looking at two options moving forward but ratepayers appear disinterested in the process and have taken to social media to describe the drop-in sessions as pointless.
Drop-in sessions are also planned in coming weeks at Renwick, Bowral, Moss Vale, Wingello and Robertson.
There will also be two online webinars – a tactic not likely to be utilised by the shire’s predominantly elderly population.
Council says the drop-in sessions will provide residents with a chance to chat with Mayor Jesse Fitzpatrick, council’s General Manager Lisa Miscamble and council staff about the two options currently under consideration.
The Southern Wire has been told that it was the General Manager who did most of the talking tonight and she was keen to blame legacy issues, inherited problems, cost-shifting and the economic impact of natural disasters.
The atmosphere, we have been told, was tense and combative at times.
The two options being presented to struggling ratepayers are bleak.
The first of those options – the ‘status quo’ option – is expected to see infrastructure across the shire fall further and further into disrepair.
The second option – being described as the ‘stronger services’ option – involves a “cumulative and permanent increase” in rates of 34.4 per cent to be introduced progressively over the next three years.
Council says it is looking at a $100 million funding shortfall over the next decade if it can’t obtain additional funding.
Almost one third of that (approximately $31 million) is needed for “urgent, critical works on roads and buildings”.
Ratepayers also have the opportunity to comment via council’s online engagement platform at http://participatewingecarribee.wsc.nsw.gov.au but council was told again tonight that people don’t feel comfortable using digital media platforms.
The Mayor suggested they write letters instead.
Some social workers have already expressed concern that the rate increase – on top of increases to water and sewer charges that came into effect on July 1 without the need for IPART approval – will push many struggling Wingecarribee families over the edge.
The consultation process will end on August 28 with council to decide in October whether or not to proceed with an application to IPART for the SRV.
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