IPART is inviting community feedback on special variation applications from 10 NSW councils to increase their income from rates above the rate peg for 2026-27.
IPART Chair Carmel Donnelly said the Tribunal is now seeking community feedback on applications from Ballina Shire Council, Blacktown City Council, Central Coast Council, Cessnock City Council, Glen Innes Severn Council, Hawkesbury City Council, Ku-ring-gai Council, Muswellbrook Shire Council, North Sydney Council and Uralla Shire Council. The increases sought range from 12.8% over one year to 58% over two years. Glen Innes Severn Council and North Sydney Council have also applied for minimum rate increases.
“Community feedback is an important part of the Tribunal’s assessment of special variation applications,” Ms Donnelly said.
“We encourage ratepayers and community members to fill out the survey on the IPART website or lodge a submission in relation to any of the applications we’ve received.”
IPART assesses special variation applications against criteria set by the Office of Local Government (OLG).
As set out in the OLG assessment criteria, IPART will consider whether councils have:
- demonstrated the need for the additional income
- provided evidence that the community is aware of the need for and extent of the proposed rate rise
- established that the impact on affected ratepayers is reasonable
- exhibited, approved and adopted relevant planning documents
- explained and quantified the council’s productivity improvements and cost containment strategies.
IPART may also consider other relevant matters.
All special variation applications for 2026-27 are available for review on the IPART website, along with a short survey, a fact sheet on special variations and information about how to lodge a submission. IPART is seeking feedback on Special Variation applications by 9 March 2026.
IPART will release the final decisions on special variation and minimum rate increase applications by June 2026.
Attachment 1 - list of special variation (Table 1) and minimum rate (Table 2) applications can be viewed on pages 3-5 of our media release here.
Media Contact: Hannah Short, 0427 105 865, media@ipart.nsw.gov.au.