Inverell Shire Mayor Kate Dight has raised concerns over the growing burden of cost shifting from State and Federal Governments onto local councils.
A recent report commissioned by Local Government NSW reveals a record $1.5 billion in costs have been shifted onto councils in the 2023/2024 financial year, an increase of $140 million from the previous report in 2021/22, equating to an average hidden cost of $500 per ratepayer.
In her Mayoral minute at last week’s Council meeting, Mayor Dight emphasised that cost shifting, coupled with rate pegging and insufficient government support, is increasingly compromising councils’ capacity to deliver critical infrastructure and services.
Speaking on STA FM, Mayor Dight says Inverell Shire council along with other NSW councils will take the fight up to governments.
