On this facebook community site I’ll be listing: *What IPART - TopicsExpress

On this facebook community site I’ll be listing: *What IPART (Independant Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal) requires from Councils when they apply for a significant rate rise (ie. the importance of the rate rise $ amount that corresponds to the way Council ought to go about notifying their ratepayers, and addressing their concerns) *How a lovely coloured flyer to every house is not the same as a black and white letter (in similar format to a rate notice to advise the future financial consequence) addressed to each rate payer. And why it could be proven to IPART that although “community engagement” was an activity of Maitland Council, it perhaps could be seen to be well designed in order for the rate rise to go significantly unnoticed until the special rate variation invoice arrived. *How many NSW Councils asked for a seven year rise (showing Maitland, NSW is one of only a VERY few), how Maitland have just spend special rate rises of 9.8% (2011-2012) and 10% (2012-2013), and are back for more *I’ll list specific ways Maitland Council COULD save money, and curb their glitzy plans to live within all our economic means, but Council do not even show insight for. *The economic outlook (see how tough some councils now do it, when times are bad), and how we cannot afford to have a Council without innovation, and without savings insights, especially when near neighbour-councils Port Stephens, and Sydney City are using technologies and making savings that Maitland Council would rather not talk about. And finally, ways that Maitland Council are neglecting to make money, and yet put their hand out to rate payers for discretionary spending items like new swimming pools and levee bank link building projects. I’ll write up all the details of all of the above. And since there were a few other people who wrote letters and emails to Maitland Council to protest the rate rise too, please share (CONSTRUCTIVELY) what ideas you have for Council to make $ or save $ before a rate rise. And PLEASE let’s keep this forum rational, and worthy of notice to IPART when Maitland Council’s application is in front of them. C’mon Grass roots lets ask for better!