A MODEST increase to council rates is still a burden for many residents, according to one welfare worker in Leeton.
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Leeton Shire Council has increased rates by 1.5 per cent, which is in line and the number set by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal.
However, an increase of around 3 per cent has been applied to most fees and charges to cover expected increases in costs for providing goods or services by council.
The base number for rates for the 2017-18 financial year will be $441 for ordinary rates.
For farmland it will be $691 and $291 for businesses.
Social services manager at the Leeton Community Op Shop said any increase could do damage.
“Anything that goes up for people is a worry,” she said.
“If there’s an increase of any sort it does affect people.
“It’s just another added cost.”
In some good news, there will be no change in costs for residential water access charges and stormwater management charges.
The interest to be charged on all overdue rates and charges for the current financial year will be 7.5 per cent, compared to 8 per cent in 2016-17.
One many residents would be interested in is what they will be charged for water use as many are often surprised by the cost of those bills under the tiered system.
In 2017-18 residents will be charged $1.02 per kilolitre for the first 300 kilolitres, $1.49 from 301 to 600 kilolitres and $2.60 per kilolitre thereafter.
This compares to $0.96 for the first tier in 2016-17, $1.40 for the second and $2.45 for the third.
Mrs Weymouth said residents in Leeton shire continued to struggle as costs of living climbed.
“It’s happening with everything … prices are going up in every aspect of our lives,” she said.
“People are struggling.
“I don’t know if it’s just because I may see it more, but it’s certainly true.
“It’s hard times for a lot of people.”