As reported in last week's NOTA, council has applied to the new Minister for Local Government, Paul Lynch, seeking the increase and will soon forward a newsletter to all ratepayers providing important information on council's draft 2007/2008 budget.

"The newsletter explains the reasons why council is making application for a rate increase and outlines council's proposed works program in line with this rate increase," council's general manager Keith O'Leary said.

"Councils across NSW are facing an infrastructure crisis and Great Lakes Council is no exception.

"Council has a responsibility to address the maintenance of ageing assets and has proposed a works program with a rate increase which will address many of the priority areas, including the upgrade of road infrastructure and community facilities, footpath and cycleway construction and library books."

Although the Minister is yet to announce the rate pegging limit, council's application for a total rate increase of 9.5 per cent would provide additional funds of approximately $1.2 million for the 2007/08 financial year, with a further $1 million likely to be borrowed. Should the application be successful, $1.6 million of the $2.2 million is earmarked for urban and rural roads.

However if council is unsuccessful in its application for the third year running it would result in a similar cutdown budget to last year which saw works and projects valued at $1.5 million put on hold.

The cutdown or '3.5 per cent budget' as it is being called in council is based on a rate pegging limit increase of 3.5 per cent being set by the Minister.

The exact details of council's proposed 2007/2008 will be made available for all to see when the draft management plan is placed on public exhibition from April 26 to May 25.

The plan will be available for viewing at all council offices, most libraries and on council's website: www.greatlakes.nsw.gov.au