The issue

Albury City Council is proposing a Special Rate Variation (SRV), to cover the costs of their lavish spending, mismanaging Development Fees and overall misuse of our Ratepayer Dollars over several years.  

Council's revenue from rates is regulated by the NSW Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART), which sets a limit on how much councils can increase rates each year. This limit is known as the rate peg. For 2026/27, the rate peg has been set at 3.6%, reflecting Albury demographics and what their capacity to afford is.

Such a significant Rate Rise can have devastating effects. At a time when Cost of Living, is hurting everyone, this proposed increase represents a substantial financial burden, especially when you combine it with the already high cost of living. Winter has set in and heaters are in use. Food cost is continuing to rise, and the uncertainty of the ups and downs of Fuel Prices, there is just so much to deal with. We should NOT be the ones that are responsible for fixing Albury City Councils money problems.

We, the Ratepayers and Residents, that make up this wonderful Community should not be expected to be a BANK for Albury City.   This means Albury City Council is facing a growing gap between the cost of providing services and maintaining infrastructure and the funding available to do so. Without change, they have suggested that this will lead to a gradual decline in the condition of community assets and the level of services over time.

Council HAVE NOT cut costs in their own workplace, instead they waste Ratepayers Dollars and ask us to pick up the slack. If a council wishes to increase rates above the annual rate peg, it must apply to IPART for approval through a process known as an SRV.

Albury City Council was seeking community feedback on three options before making any decision about whether to apply to IPART for a Special Rate Variation commencing in 2027/28 through a survey online, hard copied or phone and submissions. This period ended July 31st.  
The three options being considered are:

Option 1 – No SRV, annual rate peg, 3.6% per year, cumulative increase 11.2% over 3 years
Option 2 – 40% SRV, cumulative increase of 46 % over 3 years
Option 3 – 42% over two years +3.6% rate peg, cumulative increase of 52 % over 3 years

WE DO NOT SUPPORT AN SRV RATE RISE AT ALL.  PLEASE SIGN IF YOU AGREE WITH US.

IPART consider petitions from ratepayers in their evaluations of any council SRV submissions

Every signature sends a clear message that our community expects responsible financial management and meaningful consultation.
If you believe a 52% Rate Rise is too much, PLEASE sign this petition and share it with your friends

            *MUST BE AN ALBURY RESIDENT *