Rates Consultation

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

Consultation has concluded. Please see the Timeline and Next Steps segment on the right-hand side of the page for progress on this project.


Lismore City Council would like to thank those people who have responded to the Lismore rates consultation since it opened on 1 August.

Your feedback is valuable and there have been some great comments, suggestions and questions.

We have listened to this feedback and developed a new rates proposal for the community to consider.

In our round one consultation, we asked you to consider a proposed Special Rate Variation (SRV) that would apply to all Lismore ratepayers. This included a year one increase of 17% and a year two increase of 6.9%.

Your feedback told us that the year one increase was higher than expected.

We have listened to this feedback and developed a new proposal with smaller annual increases spread over a greater number of years.

In this new round of consultation, residents and ratepayers have three possible options to consider.

We need to know, what is your preference?

Your answers and feedback will help Lismore City Council make an informed decision.

All feedback from round one and round two of the consultation will be provided to Council at its 12 November meeting where a decision on whether to make an application to IPART for an SRV will be made.

The round two rates consultation is open for community feedback until 30 September.

  • Complete the Round 2 Survey.
  • Register for the community workshop.
  • Attend an Information Kiosk and talk to staff face-to-face.
  • Ask a question in our online Q&A.


Lismore City Council would like to thank those people who have responded to the Lismore rates consultation since it opened on 1 August.

Your feedback is valuable and there have been some great comments, suggestions and questions.

We have listened to this feedback and developed a new rates proposal for the community to consider.

In our round one consultation, we asked you to consider a proposed Special Rate Variation (SRV) that would apply to all Lismore ratepayers. This included a year one increase of 17% and a year two increase of 6.9%.

Your feedback told us that the year one increase was higher than expected.

We have listened to this feedback and developed a new proposal with smaller annual increases spread over a greater number of years.

In this new round of consultation, residents and ratepayers have three possible options to consider.

We need to know, what is your preference?

Your answers and feedback will help Lismore City Council make an informed decision.

All feedback from round one and round two of the consultation will be provided to Council at its 12 November meeting where a decision on whether to make an application to IPART for an SRV will be made.

The round two rates consultation is open for community feedback until 30 September.

  • Complete the Round 2 Survey.
  • Register for the community workshop.
  • Attend an Information Kiosk and talk to staff face-to-face.
  • Ask a question in our online Q&A.

Consultation has concluded. Please see the Timeline and Next Steps segment on the right-hand side of the page for progress on this project.

Ask us a question about our rates consultation and we will get back to you as soon as possible with a response.


  • Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    So on spending the extra money you hope to get how many Civil Engineers (Bachellor of Engineering - majoring in civil envineering), does council employ and how does this compare with the state average per $ expenditure?

    Graeme Wilson asked over 4 years ago

    Council employs a number of people in the road design and construction with varying qualifications and expertise, and it would take some time to compile the information you are seeking. Your request for data on employed engineers compared with the state average per $ expenditure is also not readily available, and unfortunately Council does not have the resources to respond to your specific questions at this time.


  • Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    I rent. Rent - the cheapest in Lismore I could find ($225pw) - consumes half of my disability support pension. Any proposed rate increase will simply be passed on to the renter ... forcing those who simple can't afford the increase to become homeless. The current wait time for public housing in the Lismore area is 20 years. I have been on the list for over 8 years. Lismore Council's proposed rate increase is excessive to the nth degree to those who rent and can least afford any increase ... confirming the utter bastardy of Lismore Council and their total lack of empathy for the least well off in our society. What ... if anything ... is Lismore Council going to do to address the increased unaffordability of housing due to any rate increase?

    Azan Mann asked over 4 years ago

    We are acutely aware of the affordable housing shortage Lismore faces and Council is currently implementing strategies outlined in the Lismore Housing Strategy 2012.

    The decision to apply for a Special Rate Variation or implement further strategies to improve housing affordability are decisions made by the Council as a whole. You may discuss and lobby your Councillors on these issues at any time should you wish to raise a specific issue with them or see policy action. Their contact details can be found at www.lismore.nsw.gov.au

  • Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    This is a serious enquiry, in spite of TV show ref. Please explain, item by item in detail & common language, the following that are found in LCC reply below that could be termed as "Yes Minister script" -SVR -$6.1 million cash deficit -a number of measures including -zero based budget -asset rationalisation strategy -have been implemented -additional ongoing funding of $4.5 million -to fix the roads -$1.6 million to stimulate economic development -in the Lismore local government area -The community is not being asked to pay for the cash deficit - mitigate the ongoing impact

    David UNDERWOOD asked over 4 years ago

    With regards to the $6.1 million cash deficit for the year reported to the Council’s 26 February 2019 meeting, the following actions have been taken to minimise this having an ongoing negative impact including:-

    • the 2019/20 Budget was prepared on a zero based budget basis. This required all section to substantiate all expenses and revenues. This will result in managers having a clear understanding of the budget and associated expectations.
    • the development and implementation of an asset rationalisation strategy. The objective of this strategy is to assess opportunities to divest or invest differently in Council’s assets.
    • implementing technology and software upgrades to limit manual data entry and double handling;
    • improving of governance and procurement procedures to streamline these areas;
    • reconfiguration of the organisation to utilise staff skills more effectively. These are all currently being implemented.
    • the cancellation or deferral 33 projects from the Imagine Lismore Delivery Program 2017-2021. Staff resources that were being used to progress these projects are now being used for other core activities.
    • undertaking internal reviews to find further efficiencies with no impact to service delivery.
    • investigating new revenue streams to ensure a financial return that helps fund the ongoing costs to maintain Council facilities. An example of this could be the introduction of entry fees and/or other reasonable user charges to cover operating costs.
    • pursuing State and Federal Governments for a greater share of available grants.

    The Special Rate Variation is not one of the actions taken to minimise the ongoing negative impact of the cash deficit.

    The purpose of the Special Rate Variation is specially to provide additional ongoing funding to fix the roads and  stimulate economic development in the Lismore local government area. In summary, if a Special Rate Variation option was approved by IPART, the result would be:

    • Roads across the Lismore Local Government would improve with an additional sealed roads reconstructed each year.
    • This would significantly improve the road network as funds are progressively diverted from pothole repairs and maintenance to reconstructing and resurfacing roads.
    • Significant improvements would be made to the gravel road network including re-sheeting of failed gravel roads, culvert upgrades and replacements, and sealing intersections where gravel and bitumen meet.
    • Economic development initiatives would be funded that help attract new development and investors to Lismore, Nimbin and the greater region.
    • Lismore’s streetscape and CBD would be improved with better infrastructure such as lighting and street furniture as well as more events, activities and attractions.
    • Nimbin and villages would be provided with support to activate town centres and improve safety.
    • New businesses and tourism would be promoted to stimulate the economy and increase jobs.

  • Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    Why is Lismore council asking for a Rate rise when most of their achievements are second or third rate. No wonder everything cost LCC more, it is much easier to the job once and well. Other question: what’s in it for surrounding villages, we don’t care much about Lismore cbd

    Samuel Herren asked over 4 years ago

    Thank you for your feedback to our engagement process and sharing your perspective. 

    Economic development initiatives will support the entire local government area including villages, as it provides for business and industry growth that increases jobs for the entire community to benefit.


  • Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    How can the ratepayers have any confidence in Lismore Council undertaking any of the works they propose and coming in on budget or under it, regardless of the proposed rate increase? Council has squandered the rates they have received consistently, the quality of work undertaken has been second rate as far as road repairs go, and the top heavy workforce within council is a drain on ratepayers money. There has been no consultation with the ratepayers concerning how their money is spent. Art works in the streets are not aiding in fixing roads or infrastructure. Can council put a figure on how much tourist income comes into the area yearly? Does council think that by erecting expensive artworks that Lismore will attract tourists? It seems obvious that the current council's approach has been unreal to say the least. Why was there a back hole of a supposed 6.1 million? Why was another black hole found shortly after this one was found? Does the council need a new abacus? In reality if the council was in the private sector, they would not survive as a business. Does the council think that they should rob Peter to pay Paul? Essentially this is what the Council is doing, Council is willing to create more financial hardship on ratepayers to sustain an ideology that is totally unsustainable. Is Council employed by the people? The ratepayers pay the salaries and wages, yet have little or no say in how the finances are utilized. Does Council recognise that ratepayers create a job and therefor an existence for Council employees? We ask for a fair and equitable situation from council, not a choice as to how much more Council wants us to pay for the right to live on the property we own or are working hard to pay for. Does Council recognise the constant rise in the cost of living? Does Council recognise the fiscal pressure they are placing on people within this environmental and economic situation we all find ourselves in? There has to be a humane understanding within the want for economic structure, ratepayers don't want to feel burdened by the people they employ, I reiterate that if Council was a business in the private sector, they would be bankrupt. It's easy to spend someone else's money, it's very important for the ratepayer that the monies are spent in realistic and beneficial ways.

    Jeremy Shand asked over 4 years ago

    Thank you for your feedback to our engagement process and sharing your perspective. 

    Council is required to spend the SRV funds only on what Council has written in its application to IPART. Council will inform the community in its Annual Report each year about the activities undertaken with SRV funds. This ensures that the community has confidence about how the funds are spent.

    As detailed in the frequently asked questions - 

    Does Council's recent budget deficit have anything to do with this SRV?

    No. At its budget meeting on 25 June 2019, Lismore City Council forecast a cash surplus of $957,400 – turning around the cash deficit that was discovered in January 2019.
    Council made cuts across almost all areas of Council to resolve the cash deficit problem. However, this did not provide a solution for the long-term delivery of services. Council is still financially vulnerable.
    The reality Council faces is that it is unable to provide its current services without increased revenue. This is why Council is proposing an SRV.





  • Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    In regards to the rates charged there are many other rate amounts listed on the rates notice. Although our base amount of $1129 ( plus $405 base amount for us) is spoken about it’s all the other charges that inflate our annual rates to $2876 pa. By anyone’s standards this is a lot of money to find each year to own a house in Lismore. I can’t help but wonder if there will be further increases to these charges too and all the debate about a SRV (which should not be levied on an ongoing basis in my opinion and should be a one off emergency levy only) will mask the additional increases to the “other” rating types and residents will have to find even more money than advertised as a SRV. Can you please advise if there will be additional increases to these charges as well as a means for the council to recover more money from residents? Also, I’m reading a lot of “gonna do” statements in Councils responses. Can you also explain to the residents the monitoring processes and who will be monitoring and auditing council to make sure that the steps and changes that are clearly needed to improve efficiency are actually done. I have no faith in “trust me” statements and internal supervision of cost cutting activities as they can, at times, lack transparency. Thank you for your time.

    NeilW asked over 4 years ago

    All rates and charges are set by the Council on an annual basis. They are advertised in the annual operational plan for 28 days starting in May. Public submissions are invited and the Council meets in June to consider any submission prior to determine the rates and charges for the next year.

    While the rate increase is based on the rate peg percentages approved by IPART, charges are generally increased by the rate peg percentage, consumer price index or on a full cost recovery basis. 


    Council established an Audit Risk and Improvement Committee (ARIC) in December 2018.  The Charter for this Committee, including the functions they keep under review on behalf of Council are attached for your information. 

    The Office of Local Government (OLG) has announced that these Committees will be mandated from 2021, following changes to the Local Government Act in 2016.  Councils have been eagerly awaiting guidance on how these Committees might work from 2021 and two weeks ago we received draft guidelines for feedback, which I have copied here for your information.  

    Our current committee has been established on principles of current best practice, with a view to moving to the new guidelines once they have been finalised.  Currently our Committee comprises of 3 independent members and 2 Councillors.  Also in attendance at Committee meetings are Councils external auditor, TNR and the NSW Audit Office.  The external auditor is appointed to Council by the NSW Audit Office who are responsible for auditing the performance of Local Government on behalf of the NSW Government.  This includes independent audits of Councils financial statements.

    Additionally, the Committee directs (and has reporting to it) an Internal Auditor.  Council appointed Grant Thornton as Internal Auditor in June 2019 and their role is to conduct reviews on important parts of Councils operations (such as procurement, financial controls etc) and report findings, recommendations and agreed management actions directly to the Committee.  

    Further information on how the Committee interacts with the business and Council to ensure independence is included in the Charter.

    Council staff conducted an extensive search to fill the independent positions of this Committee.  We were fortunate to secure 3 very high calibre professionals with significant board level experience and/or exposure in corporate governance, finance, audit, Local Government and business improvement.  Councillors Cook and Guise are the representatives of the elected body.



  • Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    I already pay high rates in lismore i do not need rate raise disability pension is not going up

    catherine wunsch asked over 4 years ago

    Thank you for your feedback to our engagement process and sharing your perspective. 

  • Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    This week our pension will increase by 0.80 % and we are earning 0.75 % interest from our bank. Our council wants to increase our annual rates by 6.9 % because they cannot keep their house in order. There has to be something very, very wrong with the way this council operates. It seems to have excuses for everything – we’re constantly being told there are so many pot holes because it rains so much, they keep using this as an excuse but we have not had any decent rain for over two months. However, every time we go into town there are more. On the 2nd Sept I rang council to report some very dangerous pot holes on Dunoon Road, explaining to the council officer you had to cross the double white lines and move to the other side of the road to avoid them. There is a genuine potential for a fatal crash if there is anything coming in the opposite direction. Nearly four weeks have passed and they have not been attended to . Other pot holes further towards Modanville have been attended to, it would appear council staff have driven straight past the ones I reported to attend to those further on. Work that one out! Council is almost boasting that they fill seventy pot holes a day,They should be ashamed to admit this surely in the year 2019 there must be a way to repair a pot hole that stays fixed. In 2005 we retired from Sydney and built in Modanville, not once in the last fourteen years have we driven into town and admired the scenery along the way as we have to keep looking out for the pot holes (many thanks to the person with the spray paint, it makes our job a lot easier). We do not go out at night as we cannot see them, sad isn’t it !!! I would like to think one day before I die we can drive into town and not worry about being on the lookout for pot holes, I don’t think it will happen, that’s sad too. Last December we had some friends visit from England who are into art so we took them along to our new art gallery. I may be wrong but I believe council contributed $1.5 mil. We left embarrassed. They had black and white photos of a Sydney suburb – Blacktown. I am not against art galleries as long as I can drive on a safe road to get there. We then went for a walk around town, passing the people smoking beneath the no smoking signs, dodging the push bikes, scooters and skate boards on the footpaths. We did have rangers patrolling but we have not seen them for months, where are they ??? To escape the perils of the foot path we went to the koala sanctuary where we all had a very good time. LOCAL MATTERS - can someone please tell me how much these cost to produce and how many are distributed each fortnight ?? I am sorry to advise some people in our area do not even read them and they are consigned straight to the recyclers from the letter box. I now subscribe and get an email which I believe is an excellent way to be kept informed but I still get the hard copy in the letter box, I don’t know what council can do, but surely in their present form they are an unnecessary expense. WOODLARK STREET BOAT - another unnecessary expense/saga and an embarrassment. One would hope the person that signed off on this is no longer with council. ROAD AHEAD SIGNS - I appreciate perhaps the costs here would be minimal but again it is another example of wastage, if you cannot see there is a road ahead at the end of a footpath, you have a problem, as my mum used to say, look after your pennies and the pounds will take care of themselves. ROUNDABOUTS - the size of new roundabouts being built are ridiculous. Can someone explain why do they have to be so large. Cars have enough trouble getting around them, buses and trucks just drive straight over them. So much concrete what a waste, many roundabouts in the United Kingdom simply have a small circle painted in the middle of the road with directional arrows painted on the outer edges, seems to work quite ok. FOOT PATH - I note there has been the complete replacement of the foot path on Rotary Drive. Can someone please advise me of the cost. I travel this road regularly and seldom see anybody using the foot path, why did it need replacing ?? Finally, in your brochure “Have Your Say”, council advises without the rate increase council cannot continue to provide its current level of services. I find this statement to be most threatening and in extremely bad taste.

    charles robinson asked over 4 years ago

    Thank you for your input into our engagement process and sharing your perspective. 

  • Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    Why is LCC in the position to be asking this question?? Rates should NOT be increased, but look at other cost cutting measures, eg decrease the number of environmental positions on council compared with other positions. Unfortunately we are being run by those who prefer all the green options which cost us and animals dearly (just remember the recent bush fires). How short sighted are these people to think that not back burning will be a benefit. What about the poor animals/bird life?

    Ken and Rhonda Baker asked over 4 years ago

    Thankyou for your feedback.

    We acknowledge your concerns about any increases in your rates.  This consultation is about our ability to continue into the future to deliver a broad range of services from roads to rubbish collection, parks and playgrounds, cultural activities and events, libraries and swimming pools, environmental protection, and much more. The reality Council faces is that it is unable to provide all these services without increased revenue. We need to have a conversation with the community about rates and how we tackle these funding challenges.


    With regards to improving financial management and efficiency, the Council has taken these steps;

    •  In January 2019, Council undertook a due diligence study that recommended a range of strategies to improve efficiency within Council. These included implementing technology and software upgrades to limit manual data entry and double handling; improvement of governance and procurement procedures to streamline these areas; and a reconfiguration of the organisation to utilise staff skills more effectively. These are all currently being implemented.

    •  During the 2019/20 budget process, Council resolved to cancel or defer 33 projects from the Imagine Lismore Delivery Program 2017-2021. Staff resources that were being used to progress these projects are now being used for other core activities.

    •  Council is undergoing internal reviews to find further efficiencies with no impact to service delivery.

    •  Council is investigating new revenue streams to ensure a financial return that helps fund the ongoing costs to maintain Council facilities. An example of this could be the introduction of entry fees and/or other reasonable user charges to cover operating costs.


  • Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    Can you explain to me why rate payers are been coerced into footing the bill for council's mismanagement of funds? It is not our fault that council has found itself in a large deficit so it should not be out job to pay more to get council out of its self inflicted hole. It seems the campaign for rate increases uses fear mongering that no rate increases will lead to calamities on road works and businesses but maybe council can explain what it is doing internally (and I mean a specific non generic answer please) to address its self made budget predicament? Rather than trying to scare us into agreeing to a somewhat ridiculous 25% rate increase. Thanks

    Andrew ngeh asked over 4 years ago

    As detailed in the FAQ's on the Your Say Lismore - 

    Does Council's recent budget deficit have anything to do with this SRV?

    No. At its budget meeting on 25 June 2019, Lismore City Council forecast a cash surplus of $957,400 – turning around the cash deficit that was discovered in January 2019.
    Council made cuts across almost all areas of Council to resolve the cash deficit problem. However, this did not provide a solution for the long-term delivery of services. Council is still financially vulnerable.
    The reality Council faces is that it is unable to provide its current services without increased revenue. This is why Council is proposing an SRV.


    Additional SRV funds would be used for Economic Development activities:

    • Fund initiatives arising from the new Lismore Economic Development Strategy.
    • Council has recently conducted community consultation in Lismore, Nimbin and our rural areas to develop this strategy.
    • Improve Lismore CBD infrastructure and streetscaping. Increase activity in the Lismore CBD at night to create a vibrant and safe city centre after dark.
    • Improve Lismore CBD lighting and host activities such as pop-up events, buskers and  markets.
    • Provide support to Nimbin and villages to activate town centres with initiatives such as improved lighting and safety. Projects would be developed in close consultation with those communities to address specific needs.
    • Fund an incentive program to encourage new businesses to establish in Lismore.
    • Support the growth of new industries and help expand our existing business and industry sectors. We would help develop precincts where businesses could co-locate, making Lismore the regional centre for those services. We would develop our health precinct, professional services sector and agricultural industries as well as grow our aviation, education and training, culture, and sport and recreation sectors.
    • Fund programs that stimulate and grow tourism – encourage new tourism developments throughout the region.
    • Introduce telecommunications infrastructure such as free Wi-Fi in the Lismore CBD.
    • Improve cultural infrastructure such as our performing arts spaces.
    • Cut unnecessary red tape and streamline the processes that aid the establishment of new businesses and encourage development.

    Sealed Roads

    Additional SRV funding would be used to reconstruct roads that are in very poor condition. Roads would be reconstructed and then regularly resurfaced so they stay in good condition for as long as possible. Over a 10-year period, additional SRV funds would see the road network improve right across the Local Government Area. 

    SRV Option 2 would enable us to reconstruct an additional 2.75km of sealed roads each year. It would provide $32 million over 10 years to address the roadworks backlog of $65 million (reported in 2017/18) that currently exists.
    SRV Option 3 would enable us to reconstruct an additional 3.4km of sealed roads each year. It would provide $40 million over 10 years to address the roadworks backlog of $65 million (reported in 2017/18) that currently exists.

    • In a nutshell, an SRV would ensure:
    • A greater number of roads in good condition, meaning less potholes and other failures.
    • A greater number of roads in good condition, resulting in more funding being available for planned maintenance and upgrades, and less money being spent on patching and repairing failed roads.
    • Roads would be reconstructed and receive ongoing resurfacing to stand the test of time.
    • Only a small percentage of roads would be in a very poor condition at any one time.
    • The average condition of the entire road network would improve.
    Gravel Roads
    Both of the proposed SRV options would deliver $500,000 annually to improve gravel roads. We would be able to complete the following works in addition to our ongoing grading program every year:
    • 10km of gravel re-sheets
    • Four culvert/causeway extensions or upgrades
    • Bitumen seal on three gravel road intersections
    At present, Council does not have funds for any gravel re-sheeting. Re-sheeting involves placing new gravel on the road and reshaping and rolling to decrease potholes and surface defects, and improve wet weather access. It also reduces dust volumes and provides a smoother driving experience

    Council maintains 400km of gravel roads. Over a 10-year period, the proposed SRV would see 100km or 25% of the entire gravel road network re-sheeted. Thirty gravel intersections would be bitumen sealed across the LGA and 40 culverts would be upgraded, reducing the wear and tear around these sections of road. Council would also continue its ongoing grading program.