Council Reference Group Communique #1 2026 

The Council Reference Group (CRG) met for the first time in 2026, on 29 May 2026, to: 

  • Discuss how the group will operate and introduce the CRG members for 2026, including new members who joined in 2026, following the revised Terms of Reference (April 2026).
  • Workshop the priorities it proposes to consider for setting the 2027-28 rate peg, and for future CRG discussions. 

Members nominated a range of issues for discussion. They also reviewed issues identified at previous CRG meetings and by stakeholders (including councils who have submitted rate peg related issues to IPART for consideration). 

The CRG discussed and prioritised the issues into 3 categories: 

  • priorities for the 2027-28 rate peg
  • issues to consider for future rate pegs
  • issues beyond the rate peg for consideration.

Here is a summary of the list of issues. 

IPART also engaged the Centre for International Economics (CIE) to undertake preliminary research on the impact of cybersecurity costs on councils and how this may be reflected in the rate peg. The issue of cybersecurity costs has been raised as a priority issue to consider at previous CRG meetings. 

The CIE presented their preliminary findings and next steps. The CRG discussed the findings and members volunteered to assist with the next steps. 

The next CRG meeting will be held on Monday 29 June 2026.

See: Meeting agenda.

Council Reference Group members

In attendance at the Council Reference Group meeting on 29 May 2026: 

  • Andrew Butcher, President, NSW Revenue Professionals; Senior Revenue Accountant, Campbelltown City Council
  • Daniel Pretzler, Chair of the Finance Professionals Member Network, Local Government Professionals; Wollongong City Council
  • Danielle McVernon, Local Government Professionals (observer)
  • George Cowan, Individual (Former General Manager, Narrandera Shire Council)
  • Glen Magus, Director Corporate Support, Hornsby Council
  • Ian Clayton, Manager Property and Revenue, Mid-Western Regional Council
  • Julie Briggs, Policy Advisor, Country Mayors Association of NSW
  • Kerryn Conroy, Office of Local Government (in place of Sonya Kenny)
  • Michael Chorlton, Director Corporate Services, Tweed Shire Council
  • Richard Sheridan, Director City Performance, Bayside Council
  • Ritika Babbar, Office of Local Government 
  • Seon Millsteed, Revenue Accountant, Tamworth Regional Council
  • Shaun McBride, Chief Economist, Local Government NSW
  • Tina Baldock, Director Sector Policy, Office of Local Government 
  • Vicki Mayo, CEO, Local Government Professionals
  • Wayne Rogers, Director Corporate Services, Blacktown City Council