Mayor Ryan Palmer seeks rate relief for residents in Williamtown PFAS contamination area

Related — Two councils countering problems with rate relief

“Port Stephens mayor Ryan Palmer has revealed plans to bypass the state government in his bid to deliver rate relief for residents within the PFAS contamination management area.

With little scope to deliver rate relief under the Local Government Act the council will ask residents elsewhere in Port Stephens to offset the reductions of up to 50 per cent for those resident in the red zone.

Cr Palmer said it would cost rate payers outside the red zone just $2.50 on average for the whole year, if the plan is adopted.

‘We’ve explored a number of options and this is best fit,’ Cr Palmer said.

‘For such a small increase on our annual rates, it is worthwhile, we are a compassionate community and I hope this can go some way to easing some of their pain.’

If the plan is supported it will need to go on public exhibition for 28 days before it can formally be adopted…

Under the proposal those living in the primary management zone would see a 50 per cent reduction in their rates while those in the secondary management zone would benefit from a 25 per cent reduction.

People in the broader management zone would get a 10 per cent reduction.