Yass Valley residents deserve answers before being asked to pay substantially more in council rates.

Yass Valley Council is consulting on a proposed cumulative rate increase of approximately 76% over four years, following an independent financial sustainability review identifying an additional annual funding requirement of approximately $8.3 million.

For many households, pensioners, families and small businesses, this represents a significant additional financial burden at a time when the cost of living is already placing enormous pressure on household budgets.

We understand that councils require adequate funding to maintain roads, infrastructure and essential community services. However, before ratepayers are asked to contribute substantially more, we deserve to understand how Council arrived at this position.

We are calling on the NSW Minister for Local Government and the NSW Government to establish an independent public inquiry into Yass Valley Council’s financial management and governance over the previous ten financial years.

The inquiry should examine:

Financial decisions: Historical expenditure, budgeting, financial forecasts and when sustainability concerns were first identified.
Borrowing and debt: Council’s borrowing decisions, debt servicing obligations and long-term financial commitments.
Major projects: Original budgets, expenditure, variations and oversight of significant capital projects, including the Crago Mill development.
Procurement and governance: Whether adequate financial controls, procurement processes and accountability mechanisms have been maintained.
Alternatives to rate increases: Whether realistic opportunities for savings, efficiencies, alternative funding and improved financial management have been properly explored.
Public accountability: Whether the community has received sufficient and timely information about Council’s financial position.
We request that the Minister consider establishing a public inquiry under section 438U of the Local Government Act 1993, or an appropriate independent investigation under section 430.

Any findings and recommendations should be made publicly available, with evidence of unlawful conduct referred to the appropriate authorities.

This petition does not presume corruption or misconduct. It demands an independent examination of the facts.

We are not asking for essential services to be abandoned. We are asking for transparency, accountability and confidence that public funds are being managed responsibly.

A 76% proposed rate increase deserves more than an explanation. It deserves independent scrutiny.

Sign this petition to call for an independent public inquiry into Yass Valley Council’s financial management.