Council responds to rates concerns

NARRABRI Shire Council has responded to community concerns over this financial year’s rates and annual charges, acknowledging feedback from residents including about the impact of increased costs on households.

There has been commentary on both social media and direct feedback submitted to the council about an increase in rates.

“Council has received varied feedback from residents regarding rates and annual charges for 2026–27, including concerns about the impact of increased costs on households,” said Narrabri Shire Council’s corporate and community services director Mark Watt.

“It is not unusual for council to receive a range of views whenever rates are adjusted.

“The 2026–27 general rates increase is in line with the rate peg determined by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART), which for the year is 3.4 per cent.

“Like many organisations, council continues to face rising costs associated with delivering essential infrastructure, services, and community facilities.

“Council is committed to balancing the need to maintain services and assets for the community while minimising the financial impact on ratepayers.”

Mr Watt explained that 2026–27 is a land valuation year, with property valuations independently updated by the NSW Valuer General.

He said these valuations are used to calculate general rates and may affect the rates payable for individual properties.

Residents in every local government area are facing the same situation at the moment because it is a valuation year.

“Council does not determine property valuations,” Mr Watt said.

“Any questions or objections regarding a valuation should be directed to the Valuer General.

“The overall increase in council’s general rates income is limited to the 3.4 per cent rate peg approved by IPART for 2026–27.

“Annual service charges have also been reviewed to reflect rising costs, while seeking to minimise impacts on ratepayers.

“Land values are independently updated by the NSW Valuer General every three years.

“Changes in property valuations can affect the rate in the dollar applied to a property and the distribution of general rates across rating categories, which means some properties may see a larger increase (or) decrease than others.”

The council said it reviewed its rating structure to improve “fairness and equity” across the shire, ensuring rates are distributed more appropriately across rating categories.

“Following this review, the Mining category and Boggabri properties will see larger increases than residential and farmland properties,” Mr Watt said.

“Council believes this approach provides a fairer distribution of rates while continuing to support the delivery of services and infrastructure across the local government area.

“Boggabri are on a long-standing equity adjustment stemming from the amalgamation of Namoi shire and Narrabri municipality in 1981.”

Mr Watt said the council understands that cost-of-living pressures are affecting many households across the community.

“We have worked to balance these rising costs with the need to keep rates and charges as affordable as possible, while continuing to provide essential services and maintain community assets,” he said.

“Council is also experiencing significant increases in the cost of delivering services, maintaining infrastructure, and completing capital works.”

As previously reported by The Courier, Narrabri Shire Council has forecasted a $5.5m deficit for this financial year.

Staff have cited rising costs, reduced grant funding and cost shifting from other levels of government as the key budget pressures.

Mr Watt said the council is committed to improving its long-term financial sustainability while minimising the impact on ratepayers.

“A range of initiatives are currently being implemented to strengthen council’s financial position and help ensure services and infrastructure can continue to be delivered sustainably into the future,” he said.

“Visit council’s website and social media pages for more information on rates and annual charges.”