An independent panel has imposed a 1.5 per cent rate pegging limit on councils next financial year.
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It means councils can only raise this much extra in general rate revenue and some user charges in 2017/18. The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal imposed the limit last week.
It said “continuing low inflation and minimal growth in council costs” were factors in the rate peg. It is lower than last year’s 1.8pc restriction.
“The Local Government Cost Index increased by 1.47pc in the year to September, 2016,” IPART chair Dr Boxall said.
“Since the rate peg applies to general income in total, and not to individual rate assessments, it is up to each council to determine whether to apply the allowed increase in full and the impact on individual rate assessments.”
Goulburn Mulwaree Council did not respond to questions on the overall impact. However a spokesman said the next budget would adhere to the 1.5pc cap.