Emailed rate notices, the protection of council assets and future rate structures were the latest issues raised by candidates the Dubbo Regional Council.
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Candidates have continued to speak out on issues they feel strongly about, with campaigning heating up in the final days before votes are cast.
Emailed rate notices. John Ryan (Central ward) said he would push for council to adopt digital technology to help ratepayers, by emailing out rate notices to those who use online mail.
“It’s ridiculous to be spending money on stamps, envelopes and staff time when it’s so much simpler, cheaper and convenient to email,” Mr Ryan said.
“It should be an opt-out system where those people who don’t have ready access to emails can elect to receive a paper rate notice via the postal service.
“This wasted money belongs to the ratepayers and it’s not right that DRC can decide to spend it in this way.”
If elected, Mr Ryan would also advocate for the establishment of a Wastewatch Committee of councillors and community members to ensure the council constantly looks at ways to improve its services. He said the council was spending unnecessary dollars that could be used to cut rates or boost services.
Rate structure. Greg Matthews (Central ward) said the new council’s most important task would be to complete the financial restructure caused by the amalgamation.
He said the perennial issue of fair rate distribution would be particularly difficult post-merger.
“Even though there is a three-year rate freeze, the public consultation and structure of rates will need to be finalised by this council for implementation by the next,” Mr Matthews said.
“Once elected, councillors’ immediate priority should be broad public consultation regarding the balancing of council charges across the new local government area, along with meaningful discussions with communities regarding the cost of services and the level of service required.”
Public assets. Stephen Lawrence and Cody Jones (East ward) have urged candidates to rule out supporting the sale of valuable, income-producing council assets in the next term of council.
“There is no doubt a financial crunch is coming. The merger of the two councils has led to financial pressures in many directions. The equalisation of water charges and the roads backlog are two examples,” Mr Lawrence said.
He said Dubbo council-owned, income-producing assets, including the caravan park, sale yards and airport, all provided important services.
“Approaches have been made in the past to purchase some of them,” Mr Lawrence said. “I am committed to maintaining these assets in public hands.”
