Project objective
A Special Rate and Special Charge Scheme (SCS) Policy has been developed to provide a funding model and associated criteria to be able to proceed with projects that would improve the amenity of a select group of community members.
This Policy initiative was put forward at the Council Meeting held in October 2021, as part of discussions relating to the prioritisation of undergrounding of powerlines.
Project impacts
Introducing a Special Rate and Special Charge Scheme would enable Council to be able to deliver projects that provide benefit to a select group of residents, who would also be paying for the works over a specified amount of time, reducing the impact on the Council Budget.
If the majority of residents in a street or area supports a proposal that would be funded through a Special Charge Scheme, this would affect any dissenting residents as they would need to contribute to the SCS even if they oppose the initiative.
If a majority of residents in a street oppose a proposal that would be funded through a Special Charge Scheme, then the supporting residents would lose the opportunity to go ahead with any proposed project.
The process of initiating a Special Rate or Special Charge Scheme project is strongly influenced by the Local Government Act 1989 and the Special Rates and Charges Ministerial Guidelines September 2004. The language used within both documents is very procedural in nature and will require communications support to ensure community members understand the Scheme and impacts.
Full upfront costs will need to be paid by Council and administer the program to cover the costs from residents.
What information do we need from the community?
Community engagement will help Council to understand if residents would support any any future initiation of a special charge scheme if it allowed amenity to be improved which otherwise would not proceed.
What can the community influence?
- process and procedures which will feed into the policy.
What can’t the community influence?
- The format of how a Special Rate and Special Charge Scheme is initiated and carried out is governed by the Local Government Act and selected Ministerial Guidelines.
Stakeholders and community
This stakeholder assessment is a generalised understanding of sections of the community that have a connection to the project or matter. This information is used to understand the types of tools and techniques that will achieve the strongest and most effective outcomes for engagement and communication.
Impact: What level of change the stakeholder / community segment may experience as a result of the project / matter
Interest: What level of interest has been expressed or is anticipated
Influence: Reference to the IAP2 Spectrum
| Stakeholder / community | Impact | Interest | Influence |
| Bayside residents | H | H | Consult |
| Developers | H | H | Consult |
| Environmental groups | M | H | Consult |
Selected tools and techniques
The tools and techniques selected for this project are informed by the project content, stakeholders and type of feedback sought. The ongoing impacts of COVID-19 may impact our ability to conduct face to face engagement.
Key tools for communicating the project
- email notification to Have Your Say members
- website news story and This Week in Bayside e-newsletter
- Let’s Talk Bayside magazine
- social media posts
- direct emails to key stakeholder groups
- Digital screens in Libraries and Corporate Centre.
Key methods for gathering feedback
- online engagement through Have Your Say, including opportunity to ask questions, as well as provide feedback
- phone, post and correspondence
- Feedback from Committees of Council and Reference Groups, including the Disability Access and Inclusion Advisory Committee, and the Bayside Healthy Ageing Reference Group.
Timeline
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Timeline item 1 - complete
Development of draft Policy
The development of a Special Rate and Special Charge Scheme Policy was required to support an Undergrounding Powerlines Policy, as it is one of the nominated funding methods.
However, a Special Charge Scheme could apply to a variety of projects that directly benefit a specific group.
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Timeline item 2 - active
Community consultation
1 August – 4 September 2022.
Read about how we’re engagement with our community on this project.
Community feedback will be considered and amendments made to the draft Policy, as required.
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Timeline item 3 - incomplete
Policy adopted
Council is expected to consider community feedback and adopting a proposed Policy at its November 2022 meeting.
Decision-making process
Community consultation will be open for a minimum of four weeks, and is expected to commence in August 2022. Following this, Council will consider community feedback and adoption of the Policy at a future meeting.
Project subscribers will be notified of the results of the engagement and the Council report at this time. To receive updates on this project, click on the blue 'subscribe' button at the top of this page.
The agenda for Council meetings, including the community engagement report, will be published on the Wednesday before the Council meeting via Council's website.
All Council meetings are live-streamed via Council’s website. Interested members of the community can ask a question of this meeting or request to be heard.
More information
Katerina Kaldellis
Coordinator Asset Protection
9599 4350
