First report into rate capping policy

First report into rate capping policyThe State Parliament has released a report into the State Government’s policy to cap local government rates increases at CPI.The report tables feedback gathered by Parliament’s Environment and Planning Committee for its Inquiry into Government’s rate capping policy framework, which will commence on 1 July 2016.It recommends that: -The Government re-establish the country roads and bridges system program which provided $1 million per year to each of the 40 rural councils that qualified -Detailed data on local government rates by municipality be published annually, and, -Councils should provide information to ratepayers explaining what is or isn’t subject to the cap, and explaining each component on the rates notice including elements collected by local government on behalf of the State Government. The Property Council’s submission to the Inquiry called for a review cycle to monitor and evaluate public reporting and strategy setting by councils, whilst clarifying best practice approaches. We also recommended an asset recycling audit of all council owned assets to identify all buildings, businesses and land holdings which could be sold to unlock funding for infrastructure investment.