Glen Innes Severn Council’s Draft Operational Plan for 2024–25 outlines a range of proposed increases to fees and charges across core services—including waste, water, sewer, development, and community events. These proposed changes come in addition to a potential Special Rate Variation (SRV), which—if approved—would further raise general rates for property owners across the region.
While the SRV is still under consultation, the Council has already detailed increases to specific service charges and user fees as part of its strategy to address financial shortfalls and move toward long-term sustainability. As residents consider the full picture, the combined impact of higher rates, expanded user-pays models, and increased costs raises important questions about affordability, access, and the broader implications for the local community.
As the community takes a closer look at these proposals, a pressing question emerges: what will these changes mean for everyday residents, and the future of Glen Innes?
A Steep Climb in Fees and Charges
According to the draft Operational Plan, Council is proposing an overall increase of 16.76% across key household fees and charges (based on residential charges in Glen Innes). Notable hikes include:
- Domestic Waste Charge: rising from $378 to $510 (a 34.92% increase)
- Waste Facility Management Charge: doubling from $84 to $168 (a 100% increase)
- Residential Sewerage Charge: up from $664 to $698
- Water Availability Charge (20mm): up from $401 to $421
- Drainage Charge: increasing modestly from $119 to $125
These increases combined would see a typical annual Residential Rates and Charges notice increase by $276.
The increases are part of a broader push to align service delivery costs with revenue—driven by Council’s commitment to “Full Cost Recovery” and a growing emphasis on “User-Pays” principles. These changes come amid acknowledged financial strains, with Council citing ongoing operating deficits and cost escalation outpacing income growth.
Development Costs and the Housing Crunch
One area of concern lies in planning, development, and local approvals. In its draft plan, Council clearly articulates a strategic priority to increase the diversity and availability of housing, recognising that the current housing shortage is one of the area’s major socioeconomic barriers. A dedicated Housing Facilitation initiative has been proposed, potentially funded through a SRV.
Yet, the very document promoting affordable housing solutions also includes notable increases in development-related fees.
These increases collectively risk making new housing developments more expensive. In a market already struggling with affordability, higher upfront costs for developers can translate into higher purchase prices for prospective homebuyers or make smaller-scale developments unfeasible altogether. The draft does not provide an assessment of how these increased fees might affect housing supply or affordability.
The result is a strategic contradiction: Council seeks to promote housing growth but may inadvertently slow it through cost barriers.
Community Events Caught in the Crossfire
The Glen Innes region’s flagship community event— the Australian Celtic Festival—is also facing steep price increases. Entry to the Celtic Festival may rise from $82 to $140 for a standard two-day adult pass, a 70% increase.
Events are central to the Council’s goal of fostering a “Thriving & Connected Community.” They bring residents together, attract tourism, and support local businesses. However, the proposed fee hikes could deter attendance, particularly among budget-conscious visitors.
While the increases may help cover operational costs, they risk undermining community engagement and economic benefits that come from broader participation.
Consultancy Costs Add to Budget Pressures
Another element for consideration is Council’s growing reliance on external consultants, with projected expenditure exceeding $1 million in the coming financial year.
According to Council, consultants are engaged to fill resourcing or skills gaps in key areas such as finance, engineering, planning, IT, quarry operations, and waste management.
While this approach allows Council to maintain service delivery and meet regulatory or technical demands without permanently expanding staff numbers, it also contributes to the organisation’s overall cost structure—further underscoring the financial pressures that have led to proposed increases in rates and charges.
Waste, Water, and the Risk of Unintended Consequences
Increases to waste management charges represent some of the most significant changes in the draft plan. While the logic of cost recovery is sound—ensuring these services pay for themselves—the draft does not evaluate potential side effects, such as a rise in illegal dumping due to increased costs.
There is a similar tension in other service areas: Council supports active lifestyles through sport and recreation, yet if associated costs rise (e.g., indoor sports facility fees), participation could decline—especially among lower-income residents.
Council’s Response: Hardship Measures and Support
Recognising these risks, Council has resolved to undertake a review of the Rates Financial Hardship Policy, Rates Pensioner Concession Policy and Debt Recovery Policy following the conclusion of the Shaping Tomorrow community engagement program for the proposed (SRV). The program concludes on 6 June.
The review will consider options to minimise potential financial impacts on eligible ratepayers, including but not limited to:
• A Council-funded supplementary rebate for pensioners
• Establishment of a Pensioner SRV Hardship Offset Fund
• Expanded eligibility criteria for concessions
• Enhanced payment flexibility
• Targeted communication and education
Mayor Margot Davis affirmed the importance of these measures, stating:
“Supporting our pensioners and lower-income residents isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s essential to ensuring Glen Innes Severn remains a welcoming, liveable place for all.”
A Delicate Balancing Act
The Draft Operational plan reveals a series of trade-offs that may prove challenging in practice. Increased development fees could delay housing projects. Higher event ticket prices could reduce community participation. Waste cost hikes might lead to unintended social or environmental consequences.
Council finds itself in an unenviable position—tasked with stabilising its finances while also striving to meet the diverse and sometimes competing needs of its community. With operating deficits mounting and costs rising faster than revenue, it is practically impossible to deliver the full range of services residents expect without making tough choices. Any move to increase revenue—whether through higher rates, user fees, or service charges—is likely to meet resistance from at least some quarters of the community.
The stakes, however, are significant. Failing to address the financial situation could compromise essential infrastructure and service delivery in the long run, but moving too aggressively risks pricing out residents or discouraging much-needed development. Whether Council has struck the right balance is a question that only time—and the lived experience of ratepayers—will ultimately answer.
Community feedback remains essential. With the Shaping Tomorrow consultation open until 6 June, residents have a critical opportunity to voice their views before the plan is finalised. A survey is available online at https://haveyoursay.gisc.nsw.gov.au. Submissions can also be made in writing.
