NSW residents forced to choose between endless potholes, or huge council rate hike
Residents in the Wingecarribee Shire Council area of New South Wales are facing a choice between deteriorating infrastructure or a significant 34.4 percent rate hike. The council claims the increase is necessary to address a $100 million funding gap for road repairs.
Why it matters
This highlights the growing tension between local government fiscal sustainability and the rising cost of living for taxpayers.
- 8.09pm . First published at 7.38pm
shares Share article Exclusive: When Bradley Thiessen learned his local council was proposing a huge 34.4 per cent rate hike, he was horrified but not surprised.
Councils across Australia have been increasing rates to keep up with inflation, rising costs and increased service demands, with some councils in NSW announcing rate hikes of up to 50 per cent last month.
Bradley Thiessen has lived in the Wingecarribee Shire Council area all his life and is unimpressed with its latest proposal. Bradley Thiessen
In February, Mayor of Wingecarribee Shire Council Jesse Fitzpatrick promised NSW Southern Highlands residents there would be no special rate rise for the 2026-27 financial year.
Instead, council has proposed a huge hike for 2027-28.
It has identified a $100 million gap between the cost of maintaining local roads and infrastructure, and the funding available to it each year.
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