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Port Stephens Council tonight endorsed a decision to proceed with an application to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) for a rate increase.

Port Stephens Mayor Ryan Palmer says with over 20 community consultation events held throughout July and August it’s now time for Council to take a step forward on this issue:

“The community has unequivocally told us they want more than we can provide with our current income. They’ve asked us to deliver an array of community projects and infrastructure and while Council is financially fit, we simply don’t have the resources to deliver the major projects our community wants.

“Our community wants better town centres, safer roads, more effective drainage, stronger local economies, more jobs and a brighter future. This Council is not prepared to dash those hopes.

“We are going to create a future Port Stephens that attracts people, investment, jobs and events. A future Port Stephens we can all be proud of.

“Our community deserves more and we are here to move Port Stephens forward,” Mayor Palmer said.

Council will now notify IPART of its intention to apply for a rate increase of 7.5% per annum (including rate peg) over a seven-year term. Council will also embark on further community consultation in November as it updates its Integrated Planning and Reporting documents.

Council’s application is due to IPART on 11 February 2019.