Circulars

What’s new or changing

• New councils formed in 2016 that have opted out of the rates path protection extension will cease to be included under the Ministerial Determination issued for Section 218CB of the Local Government Act 1993.
• New councils that have decided to extend the rates path protection will be included under provisions of the Ministerial Determination to 2021.
• New councils formed in 2016 will be eligible to apply for a Special Variation or Minimum Rate Variation, regardless of whether they have opted out of the rates path protection extension.

Key Points and What this will mean for your council

• New councils under the rates path protection extension will maintain rates paths until mid-2021.
• All new councils are eligible to apply for a special or minimum rate variation for the 2020-21 rating year.
• Any new council seeking to apply for a variation should contact IPART as soon as possible to discuss.

Where to go for further information

• The new Ministerial Determination issued for Section 218CB of the Local Government Act 1993 is available at:

https://gazette.legislation.nsw.gov.au/so/download.w3p?id=Gazette_2019_2019-122.pdf

• The Office of Local Government issued Special Variation and Minimum Rate Variation Guidelines outline the process for councils seeking to apply for a special or minimum rate variation for 2020-21. They are available at:

www.olg.nsw.gov.au/strengthening-local-government/supporting-and-advising-councils/directory-of-policy-advice/rating-and-special-variations

Tim Hurst

Deputy Secretary

Local Government, Planning and Policy