Frequently Asked Questions

An SRV is a request made by Council to increase rates by more than the usual amount allowed by the NSW Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART). Each year, IPART sets a limit on how much rates can be raised, known as the rate peg. 

NSW councils can apply to IPART for an SRV to the rate peg which will be considered against the guidelines set by the NSW Office of Local Government. SRVs can only happen if Council applies to the IPART for approval to increase its rates. If IPART approves the application, Council can then increase rates beginning in July.

Council must meet all the criteria required by IPART before a rate increase can be approved and supply detailed financial information, on how it plans to manage expenditure and contain costs and provide details about why it needs a special variation to rates.  

The rate peg is a regulatory mechanism set by IPART that allows councils to adjust their rates annually to account for normal cost increases, such as inflation and the rising costs of providing essential services. This peg is intended to ensure councils can maintain service levels while balancing financial sustainability.

If a council wishes to raise rates beyond the specified rate peg, it must submit a formal application to IPART for approval. This application must include comprehensive financial information detailing the council's cost management strategies and a clear justification for the proposed increase. Factors considered in the approval process may include the council's financial health, service delivery needs, and any unique circumstances that may warrant a higher rate adjustment.

The following 4 tables show the impacts of each scenario on properties of average value in each land use category (residential, farmland, business and mining) compared to the increases from the rate peg alone. The rate peg only cumulative increase equates to 9.80%. 

Table 1      Estimated residential average rates to 2028/29

Table 2     Estimated farmland average rates to 2028/29

Table 3      Estimated business average rates to 2028/29

Please note: Average rates may vary due to the value of the property compared to the average for that land use category. For further details on the Special Rate Variation, including how it affects you, please contact the Rates Officer at Council. 

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These would be the average weekly rates by scenario and rating category with an SRV. Please note: this includes the rate peg.  

The Growth and Prosperity Program includes initiatives to implement the Economic Development Strategy, provide real assistance to the health and housing sectors which are critical to future growth initiatives for Glen Innes and the townships to improve liveability and detailed master planning for the Glen Innes Town Hall to renovate this iconic building as a future community cultural facility.  It also importantly provides a surplus which will be reinvested into future community infrastructure such as playgrounds and other essential community facilities. The following Growth and Prosperity initiatives are planned as annualised initiatives to build on what we have and provide scope for innovative initiatives:

Economic Development Strategy

Implement the initiatives of Council’s existing Economic Development Strategy - requires $250,000 per annum. 

Health Services Facilitation

Access to quality health services is essential not only for the wellbeing of the community but also for attracting and retaining residents. A number of agencies are working hard to fill the gaps and Council’s support in facilitating the necessary infrastructure is crucial. This issue has been a dominant theme from community consultation requires an allocation of $100,000 per annum. 

Our Towns Improvement Program

The community sustainability of places such as Deepwater and Emmaville and others are important for their long-term viability and local pride, this program is aimed at the community identifying their needs in order to improve liveability. The council playing a key role in delivering these locally driven initiatives requires an allocation of $150,000 per annum. 

Housing Facilitation

Available housing is consistently identified as a major barrier for new residents as well as existing residents. Poor existing stock as well as the low availability of new blocks combined with the high costs of developing greenfield sites are key factors. This has necessitated Council being more interventionist to try and alleviate the issue. Council has resolved to undertake a number of actions. The amount allocated will support loan borrowings which in turn will facilitate the delivery of greenfield sites, delivery of new stock and the purchase of existing stock. This augments existing resources allocated to the need requires an allocation of $150,000 per annum.

Glen Innes Town Hall Master Planning and Activation 

The existing Town Hall is a focal point of the community not only because of its heritage status and role as a drawcard for visitors, but also in terms of the role it plays and could play with regard to community events. With the relocation of staff from the building given its dilapidated state, Council has a responsibility to respect the heritage and maximise the community use by undertaking a master planning process to identify the best possible use, determine what is required to achieve this, and also understand the works required to the building itself given its rundown state. This amount is over three years and would put council in a position to apply for grant funding for the project requires an allocation of $150,000 per annum.

Landscaping Program

Rehabilitate, modify and create new street furniture, lawns, hedges and plantings to beautify our urban environment. This project requires an allocation of $500,000 per annum for five years.

Urban Roads Program

Road works have rightly focused on rural areas for some years.  An urban road program is required to supplement development of the Glen Innes town and surrounding villages. This includes improvement to drainage. This project requires an allocation of $1.5 million per annum over 10 years. 

The SRV does not affect service charges such as water, sewer, waste and stormwater drainage. It is only applied to the General Residential Rate line on your bill.

Over the past four years, there have been 37 applications for SRVs across various councils, with average increases ranging from 8% to 93%. The average increase for the 2023/24 financial year was 36.7%.

These SRVs are primarily aimed at maintaining existing services and assets, rather than funding new initiatives. This trend indicates a reactive approach to financial planning, as many councils find themselves needing to rely on SRVs to sustain their operations.

Several councils in the North-West and New England regions have successfully applied for SRVs, including:

• Tamworth Regional Council: 36.3% over two years (2024/25)
• Armidale Regional Council: 58.8% over three years (2023/24)
• Walcha Council: 57.74% across three years (2023/24)
• Tenterfield Council: 43% in one year (2023/24)
• Liverpool Plains Shire Council: 18.1% in one year (2023/24)

Glen Innes Severn Council has not applied for an SRV in over 11 years. 

If Council chooses not to go ahead with a SRV, a reduction in services and the capital works program would need to occur. For Council to be financially sustainable in the long term it must achieve at least a break-even result in its General Fund. Rates would increase by the yearly rate peg only and Council’s operating deficit would increase in line with the Base Case forecast in Council’s draft Long Term Financial Plan. Over time, Council’s infrastructure and services will decline.

Council’s Financial Hardship Policy helps residents who are struggling to meet their Council Rates, Fees, and Charges. The policy offers:

• Flexible payment plans tailored to individual needs and circumstances.
• Payment terms that may extend beyond 12 months, if required.
• Assistance in ensuring the debt against the property is reduced over time.
• Relief for hardship caused by specific property valuation changes.

To apply for assistance, you can contact Council:

• By phone: (02) 6730 2300
• By email: council@gisc.nsw.gov.au
• By post: Glen Innes Severn Council, 265 Grey Street, PO Box 61, NSW 2370

Once your request is received, Council will prepare a ‘Payment Arrangement’ form for your agreement and signature.

Many grants require funds to be spent on capital expenditure (eg. sporting fields, new community facilities) and are not used to fund day-to-day projects like asset renewal or maintenance. 

Council cannot solely rely on this form of income. In most instances grants require a co-contribution from Council. Grants are extremely competitive, and we may not be successful. 

Council staff are paid under the NSW Local Government Award. All Council salaries and wages are determined by this award.

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The Glen Innes Town Centre Beautification Project was funded by a $872,429 grant by the Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program (LRCI), not by Council.

Learn more about this project.

In past engagement activities, including our most recent round of community consultation, attendance at meetings in some smaller villages was extremely low. To make the best use of time and resources, Council is focusing on locations that allow us to reach the greatest number of people.

Yes, Council will be holding three virtual sessions, which will also be recorded and made available for those who are unable to attend. The virtual sessions will be held on:

• Monday 6 May, 5.30pm – 7.00pm

• Thursday 15 May, 5.30pm – 7.00pm

• Tuesday 28 May, 5.30pm – 7.00pm

Applications for a special rate variation with IPART close 5 February. In order for Council to consider feedback from the community as well as meet the criteria under IPART’s assessment, consultation, feedback and engagement needs to occur now.

Have Your Say Page

Council’s dedicated Have Your Say page will provide detailed information about the Shaping Tomorrow program including the public exhibition of IP&R documents and SRV options. It serves as the central hub for accessing key documents and feedback tools.

Visit: https://haveyoursay.gisc.nsw.gov.au/

Take the Online Survey

Delivered by Micromex, the online survey invites residents and ratepayers to answer a series of questions about the proposed SRV.  

Phone Survey

Also delivered by Micromex, the phone survey will involve Micromex interviewers contacting a representative sample of residents and ratepayers. Participants cannot opt in or request to take the phone survey.

Community Information Sessions (face-to-face)

Members of the community and other interested persons, organisations and agencies may attend an in-person session to ask questions and provide feedback:

• Emmaville Community Hall: 5 May 2025, 5 pm - 7 pm 
• Glen Innes Town Hall: 14 May 2025, 5 pm – 7 pm
• Deepwater Hall: 27 May 2025 5 pm - 7 pm

Community Information Sessions (Virtual)

Members of the community who cannot attend an in-person information session have the opportunity to participate in a virtual session via Teams. Links available on Council’s Have Your Say page:

• 6 May 2025, 5:30 pm – 7 pm
• 15 May 2025, 5.30 pm – 7 pm 
• 28 May 2025, 5.30 pm – 7 pm

Council will be conducting a series of community information sessions held online and in-person in Deepwater, Emmaville and Glen Innes over the Shaping Tomorrow engagement period. Click here to find out more. 

You can also download the Community Info Pack here.

Submissions will be provided to Council and this will be shared with Councillors who will be voting on the proposed SRV at the June 2025 Ordinary Council meeting.