News

Council to consider Special Rate and Special Charge Scheme Policy

16 November 2022

Thank you to everyone who took part in our consultation on the draft Special Rate and Special Charge Scheme Policy, which was developed as a funding method to support undergrounding of powerlines in Bayside.

Community engagement on the draft policy was undertaken from 1 August to 4 September 2022 – at the same time as the draft Undergrounding Powerlines Policy - to help Council understand community sentiment regarding any future initiation of a special charge.

We received 38 online survey submissions and 8 questions in our Q&A forum, and we also discussed the draft policy with the Bayside Healthy Ageing Reference Group and Disability Access and Inclusion Advisory Committee.

Participants told us that:

  • Agreement with statements about the draft policy
Survey participants (38) were asked the extent to which they agreed with a series of statements about the draft Policy.

There was disagreement (74%) that the draft Policy ‘sets out a consistent and fair approach’, and respondents were divided as to whether the draft Policy ‘explains the process in detail’ and is ‘easy to understand’.

    Chart: Level of agreement with statements about the draft Policy

    • Benefits and challenges

    Survey participants were also asked what they saw as the benefits and challenges of a Special Rate and Special Charge Scheme, with 33 responses received.

    While some comments focused on the positive aspects of the scheme, such as funding underground powerlines or enabling projects to proceed that otherwise wouldn’t be delivered, most comments related to challenges – the cost being unaffordable and strong concerns about the equity and fairness of it being applied to residents who do not support works to be funded through a special charge.

    Representative committees also raised strong concerns about the costs, including adverse social impacts on more vulnerable residents.

    Find out more

    Read a summary report on community feedback

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    Next steps

    Council will consider community feedback and the draft Undergrounding Powerlines Policy and draft Special Rate and Special Charge Scheme Policy at its November meeting.

    Council meeting 6.30pm, 22 November