RESIDENTS watching their wallets will need to pay close attention when it comes to paying their rates, fees and charges over the next financial year.
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Leeton Shire Council approved many new fees to be introduced as part of its annual operating plan on Wednesday night, along with several increases to charges already in place.
Catching the ire of many was increases of fees to use the town’s sporting facilities.
In one instance, council had proposed charging each sporting group who uses the town ovals up to $1500 a year for the privilege.
Steve Pauling from the Leeton Greens Football Club spoke against the idea on Wednesday night.
“We’re a not-for-profit organisation … there’s no way we would be able to afford this,” he said.
“Sporting clubs are community groups that do give back to their towns. We build up young players and keep them from getting in trouble, which is what they would be doing if they weren’t part of a team environment.”
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Council eventually decided clubs would be given an 80 per cent subsidy, meaning the cost would go down considerably, but they would still need to apply for the reduction.
New fees and charges were also implemented to operate an onsite sewerage management facility, to bring council in line with state government regulations.
However, the annual administration charge was changed from $28 to $5.
The footpath fee for business owners remained in place. The base rate for residential rates has increased for the 2018-19 financial year from $441 to $452.
For farmland the price jumps from $691 to $702 and for businesses the base amount will be $299 compared to $291 in the previous period. Rates and annual charges remain council’s biggest source of income in 2018-19, with 33 per cent of funds coming from this category.
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