On 15 November 2011 Council resolved to notify the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) of its intention to lodge an application for a special rate variation.

The application is to fund an ambitious 10 year plan which will fund nine key community infrastructure projects:

• $43million to modernising our libraries
• $36million revitalising our coast
• $25million for improving our swimming pools
• $21million for expanding our Art Gallery
• $17million for revitalising Hunter Street
• $16million for providing new cycleways
• $10million for maximising revenue from our parking stations
• $8.7million for upgrading Blackbutt Reserve
• $3million for making parking easier

Find out more about the nine key civic projects.

Community consultation

The decision followed a community consultation program that included community workshops, an onlne guest book and library on Bang The Table and an independently conducted random telephone survey of 424 residents.

Key findings of the independent survey

• 64% of respondents believe it is very important that Council implements programs to provide better facilities and infrastructure. An additional 27% said it was important and 8% said it was somewhat important, which shows 99% of respondents believe it is at least somewhat important to implement programs to provide better facilities and infrastructure
• Compared to other local government areas, resident awareness of the Community Strategic Plan (39%) is significantly greater that the local government area score of under 25%
• 62% of residents are at least somewhat supportive of the proposed special rate variation
• 74%of residents felt that it was at least somewhat important that Council is allowed to introduce the special rate variation.

 Read a full report of the community consultation (7.3Mb)

Special Rate Variation

The rate variation, beginning in 2012, will generate approximately $44.6 million over ten years. If the rate increase is approved by the community and the State Government, this will mean the average residential ratepayer will pay an additional $46.98 in 2012/13 to fund the proposed projects.

Find out more about the impact of the rate variation.

Read answers to frequently asked questions.

Next steps

Council needs to lodge its intention to apply for a special rate varation with IPART by 6 December 2011. The final application is due to IPART by 24 February 2012.

Download fact sheets

 See change with nine key civic projects (996kb)

 What services does Council provide? (342kb)

 The Newcastle Community Strategic Plan (471kb)

 Funding our Future (523kb)