Council to proceed with 33% rate hike move

Upper Hunter Shire Council said the majority of the local community is against a proposed massive hike in rates.

It follows community consultation on the issue where they received 176 responses to the survey and 62 formal responses by email or mail.

Despite this, the council has endorsed a recommendation to make an application to Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal for a permanent Special Rate Variation of 10% for three years, which represents a permanent cumulative increase of 33.10%.