Additional Special Variation rate rise granted

Published on 21 June 2022

Eighty-six NSW Councils including Kiama received notification this week that applications for an Additional Special Variation (ASV) for 2022-23 had been approved by the NSW Government.

Kiama, alongside its neighbours Wollongong and Wingecarribee among others, was approved to give a modest rate rise by the NSW Government’s Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART).

Kiama’s 2022-23 rate peg was 1.6%. The ASV means we can increase income by 0.9% above the rate peg to 2.5% for 2022-23.

Council resolved on 12 April that we would apply for a temporary ASV, so Kiama’s rate rise will only apply for the financial year 2022-2023.

The NSW Government made the ASV available to local councils to ensure the continued operation of facilities and delivery of services.

It follows the significant costs to councils of recent disasters, including bushfires and floods, as well as lost revenue from the COVID-19 lockdowns.

Kiama’s ASV will provide an additional $174,451 in income from rates.

The rise will be reflected in our quarterly rate notices for the financial year 2022-23, the first of which will be issued in July