Government must bear the financial load on councils

A NATIONAL and international review of potential alternative income streams for financially strapped rural communities has found that there is no “silver bullet” that can boost council incomes.
The report – Alternative Sources of Income for Local Government – found no single idea or even group of ideas from across Australia or overseas, can generate significant alternative revenue for small councils representing small communities.

The report – by SGS Economics and Planning was commissioned by Rural Councils Victoria – examined options across Australia and similar jurisdictions, including the UK, Canada and New Zealand. 
Internationally only two councils, one in Canada (City of Saint John) and one in NZ (Hauraki District Council) managed to raise more than 5 per cent of income from “other” (non-rates, non-fines, non-government) sources.

Bass Coast Shire Council has thrown their support behind the Rural Councils Victoria commissioned report.

“Rural communities are being left behind globally, denied equitable access to the services they need or deserve,” said Bass Coast Shire Mayor, Cr. Michael Whelan. 
“In Australia today this is unacceptable. Our state and federal governments must step up.”

“Here at Bass Coast we continue to explore additional financing options, such as through tourism and culture. But, as Rural Councils Victoria’s report concurs, these opportunities are incredibly limited, requiring resourcing far beyond the capacity of our small country council.”

“With a population of only 40,641 spread over 865.8 km², Bass Coast has a low-rate base but with a huge area to service. We’re disproportionately disadvantaged, without the high traffic to raise funds through parking fees and fines or the population density to sustain enterprise.

“Without adequate support to equal our urban peers, the quality of life for rural communities will continue to suffer and fall. We are at ever increasing fatal risk from the climate crisis - far more so than metropolitan areas and regional cities. More extreme, unpredictable conditions are hugely impacting our environment, economy, homes and health.

“We need sufficient resources to maintain resilience in this changing world. Rural communities deserve quality roads, aged care, childcare, libraries and more. State and federal government must more equitably share the tax base that they currently enjoy.”