Stormwater levy and rate rise in Narromine Shire | POLL

Council met to discuss the 2014/2015 budget on Wednesday evening.

After much discussion, council passed the majority of the budget with only three items to review.

Councillor Dawn Collins voted against the stormwater levy as she believed the amount was too high.

Council announced the rate increase and levy in late May giving community members a month to make a submission.

The stormwater levy was passed despite eight submissions.

Many residents are concerned they have already paid for the service.

Doris Wilcox of Narromine told council there was not enough time for submissions.

"I'm willing to put a petition in place and let people speak," she wrote.

"You cannot put it in the paper and try to impose it in such a small time frame."

In the original proposal council said the stormwater levy was designed to ensure Narromine, Trangie and Tomingley's kerbs, guttering and stormwater channels would cope with future demands and that everyone was charged equally.

"Under our previous policy the kerb and channelling contribution from urban residents was based on people agreeing to share the cost," Narromine mayor, Bill McAnally said.

"With the introduction of this levy, every urban household will contribute, so we will be able to kerb and channel the urban areas of the entire three towns."

There were no public submissions against the rate increase.

Council has reported the increase is in line with the NSW Government rate pegging limit, while water access and usage changes will increase 5 per cent.

Cr McAnally said while council was limiting its rate increase, it was continually faced with increasing wages and superannuation costs, as well as costs to maintain ageing roads, drainage and other infrastructure.

We want to know what you think about the 2014/2015 budgets.

Answer our poll online "do you think the rate increase and levy are fair?" or email grace.ryan@fairfaxmedia.com.au.