Clarence Valley Council is one of 12 across the state to apply for a special rate variation (SRV). The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) last week released details of the 12 councils’ applications to increase their general revenue above the rate peg in and or from 2016-17. The rate peg for 2016-17 is set at 1.8 per cent. Clarence Valley Council has applied for a 37 per cent cumulative increase over five years, to be retained permanently in the rates base, for maintenance of roads and renewal of related infrastructure. The IPART’s chairman, Dr Peter Boxall, said all applications will be determined by mid-May and could be applied to rates for the 2016-17 year. “Each application will be carefully assessed against the criteria established by the Office of Local Government, with councils required to demonstrate the need for and the purpose of the additional revenue, evidence of community consultation and an assessment of the impact on affected ratepayers,” Dr Boxall said. Community members can still make submissions directly to the IPART can up until March 14. “These submissions will be considered as part of our determination,” Dr Boxall said. “Details about each council’s proposals should be available on their websites, in local media or from councils directly.” Full details about the assessment criteria for Special Variations, the detailed proposals submitted by each council and how to lodge a submission can be found at www.ipart.nsw.gov.au. NSW councils SRV applications: • Great Lakes: 20.7 per cent cumulative increase over four years to be retained permanently in the rates base to renew infrastructure, maintain services, and improve financial sustainability. • Greater Taree City: 49.2 per cent cumulative increase over six years to be retained permanently in the rates base, for maintenance and renewal of the road network. • Gwydir Shire: 30 per cent single year increase to be retained permanently in the rates base to improve financial sustainability, includes replacing an expiring one-year special variation. • Lachlan Shire: 32.3 per cent cumulative increase over four years to be retained permanently in the rates base, to improve services and assets, reduce the infrastructure backlog and improve financial sustainability. • Lismore City: 3.6 per cent single year increase to be retained permanently in the rates base, to implement the Biodiversity Management Strategy. • Penrith City: 27 per cent cumulative increase over four years to be retained permanently in the rates base, to maintain and improve services and infrastructure, and retain permanently a special variation expiring in 2015-16. • Singleton: 45.1 per cent cumulative increase over four years to be retained permanently in the rates base, to improve asset maintenance and renewal, and retain permanently a special variation expiring in 2016-17. • Tweed Shire: 2.8 per cent single year increase to be retained permanently in the rates base for a levy on residents of a new urban release area to protect bushland near the development. • Wagga Wagga City: 5.6 per cent temporary increase to be retained in the rates base for five years, to fund upgrading of levee banks. • Wingecarribee Shire: 45.3 per cent cumulative increase over four years to be retained permanently in the rates base, to fund operating costs and infrastructure renewal, and retain permanently the Environmental Levy expiring in 2018-19. • Yass Valley: 38.6 per cent cumulative increase over four years to be retained permanently in the rates base, to improve financial sustainability.