RATES could be on the rise for Liverpool Plains residents if a motion is passed by council on Wednesday.
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Liverpool Plains Shire Council (LPSC) will vote on whether superannuation payments should increase for mayors and councillors at the expense of the community.
LPSC mayor Doug Hawkins said he was opposed to the increase at this time, calling the burden on the ratepayers "unfair".
"It's just something that I'm not comfortable with," he said.
"We'd need to be in a much more financial position in order to do it."
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If the motion is given the green light by council the expected additional cost would be almost $70,000 over the next five years.
This money would come from either a rate increase, or by diverting money away from other services and infrastructure to cover the cost.
According to the Councillor Superannution Discussion Paper, released in March 2020, it is believed increasing superannuation contributions would encourage more women and young people to stand as candidates and ensure that elected officials were adequately paid.
While Cr Hawkins considered the cost to the ratepayer would be "minimal" he said now was not the time to be increasing rates.
"We've just gone through a rate increase," he said.
Rates are set to increase by 16.6 per cent for Liverpool Plains residents over the next two years, after the NSW Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) approved the Shire's application.
To increase rates again so soon after was not a viable option, Cr Hawkins said.
"I think that it's probably too early for us because we're right in the middle of a performance review with IPART," he said.
Despite his hesitancy, Cr Hawkins said he would be more inclined to consider the increase at a later date.
"In 12 months down the track I'm hoping that with all the improvements we've put in place we will be better off, but we're not in that space yet."
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Tess Kelly
Tess Kelly is a journalist at the Northern Daily Leader, reporting mostly on court, while keeping tabs on all the happenings of the region. Story tips can be sent to tess.kelly@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Tess Kelly is a journalist at the Northern Daily Leader, reporting mostly on court, while keeping tabs on all the happenings of the region. Story tips can be sent to tess.kelly@austcommunitymedia.com.au
