SRV Engagement - Planning Our Sustainable Future

Yass Valley Council is seeking community feedback on a proposal to increase rates

Council is facing significant financial pressure to continue to deliver services, maintain infrastructure and assets as well as meet debt repayments within the current available revenue.

An independent Financial Sustainability Review, presented to Councillors and community in early October, determined that cost saving measures alone will not resolve the financial, asset and operational risks that Council is facing. An additional $8.3 million income is required annually by 2027-28 to put Council in a financially sustainable position.

Council is now forced to take urgent action and is considering making the difficult decision to apply to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) for a Special Rate Variation (SRV) that could take effect from July 2027.

Creating understanding and awareness of this issue and getting feedback from the community is an important part of this complex process.

What is the proposed rate increase?

Councillors agreed to seek community feedback on three potential rate increase options, based on a 55.8% increase above the rate peg implemented over one, two or three years. All models reach the same cumulative total of 70.74% increase three years after adoption with the difference being how quickly the increases would be introduced.

The table below compares the three proposed options, showing the annual and cumulative percentage increases and the estimated impact on an average residential general rate of $1,200. The equivalent impacts for farmland and business rates are available here.

The proposed SRV increase would only apply to the general rates part of the rates notice (see example under SRV Rates Calculator - top line in red on the pictured example). It will not apply to the other charges that appear on your rates notice.

Why is change needed?

Council is carrying a combination of financial, asset and operational risks: limited financial capacity, future debt servicing, a significant road maintenance challenge and workforce risks all impacting the ability to continue operating without action.

The key factors affecting this sobering financial position are:

• Council faces an average annual operating deficit of $6.62 million over the next 10 years, excluding capital grants.
• An operating surplus is required to address asset renewals and pay back loans.
• Council has no unrestricted cash and the cash position is projected to further deteriorate. This provides no flexibility to manage unplanned events (such as disasters or investment opportunities).
• Asset renewal backlog for roads has been estimated in excess of $65 million and Council has been advised to address this over a 10 year period.
• Under current rate revenue Council can only afford to annually fund $5.8 million in asset renewals however over $11 million is required each year to maintain the assets without adding to the backlog.
• Without an increase in cash generated each year, Council faces ongoing financial deficits, deterioration in cash position, further deteriorating assets and at high risk of breaching financial obligations.

Read the Financial Sustainability Review as presented to Council and community on October 7, 2026.

What else is Council doing?

No single action will resolve the financial issue, and any rate increase must be part of a broad range of financial management changes that Council has been implementing through the adopted Financial Sustainability Roadmap. These include:

• Secure an increase in Federal Assistance Grants from Australian Government.
• Begin the complex process of implementing the adopted Property Strategy, to sell and develop land securing future revenue streams.
• Increase fees and charges for user pays services.
• Reduce services across multiple Council areas
• Implement an ongoing program of workforce savings and efficiencies estimated

SRV Estimate Calculator

Special Rates Variation estimate calculator

Enter your current annual general rates to compare the three proposed options for a permanent Special Rates Variation (SRV), alongside the rate-peg-only scenario.

To use this estimate calculator enter the Amount shown on the FIRST LINE ONLY in the “Rates and Charges” section of your notice. In the example below, this is the line labelled “Residential - Non Urban”, and highlighted in a red box. Enter the dollar amount in the box below, not the valuation or rate/charge figure. Your property category may have a different name.
Do not enter the value of the total bill, an instalment amount, or add any other lines or charges.

Show example rates notice: which amount should I enter?

Current annual general rates for 2026/27 ($)

Calculate estimates

About these estimates

This calculator provides an indicative estimate of the potential change in rates based on the Rate Peg or Special Variation (SV). The actual rates payable may differ based on the applicable base rate, ad valorem charge for the relevant rating category, and individual value of the property.

These are estimates, not a rates notice or confirmation of approved increases. General rates only are included; other charges are excluded. The weekly increase is the annual increase divided by 52, not the total weekly bill. Each year's percentage increase applies to the previous year's annual general rates. Calculations retain full precision, with displayed dollar amounts rounded to the nearest cent.

The table supplied uses a 3.9% rate peg for 2027/28 and an estimated 3.4% for 2028/29 and 2029/30. SRV increases are permanent: rates do not return to the original amount after the SRV implementation period.

Amounts are calculated in your browser. This calculator does not send or store the amount entered.

Drop-in Information Sessions

Have Your Say

Your feedback will help Council to decide at the December meeting whether to apply to IPART for an SRV and if so which option to apply for.

• Complete the community survey or make a submission using tabs below.
• Speak to staff at the Murrumbateman Field Days October 17 & 18
• Attend one of our drop-in sessions, listed above
• Ask a question using the Question Tool below
• Write to us by post: Yass Valley Council, 209 Comur Street, Yass, NSW, 2582
• Email us: council@yass.nsw.gov.au