ARMIDALE Dumaresq Council has begun its community consultation to seek views and ratings on council services.
The council has engaged Jetty Research to conduct a random telephone survey, which will also include questions on the proposed special rate variation.
General manager Shane Burns said the council’s survey started on Monday.
“The random telephone survey will target 300 respondents, who will provide feedback to council on the special rate variation, services level reviews and feedback received will assist with the required special rate application to the Independent Regulatory and Pricing Tribunal (IPART),” Mr Burns said.
Mayor Laurie Bishop encouraged people contacted by Jetty Research to participate in the survey.
“This is just one strategy in a number of actions to seek community input and facilitate engagement on this critical issue, which has significant relevance to the future of the Armidale Dumaresq Council area,” Cr Bishop said.
“Councils across NSW have and are holding similar discussions with their community’s about the need for special rate increases, to address financial and asset sustainability.
“It is important that this challenge be addressed now and not left as a problem for future generations to solve.”
Councillors will participate in numerous engagement activities between now and early February to seek community views when deciding the final level of increase to take forward to IPART.
