Bellingen Shire Council: News: Depot Upgrade Survey Results Released

Depot Upgrade Survey Results Released

Initial results just released.

Initial results have been released from a random telephone survey of 400 adult residents living within the Bellingen Shire commissioned by Bellingen Shire Council as part of a broader community consultation process surrounding the proposed major upgrade of the Council's principal works depot at Raleigh. The survey was designed to provide a statistically valid indication of community sentiment on this issue. In particular, Council wanted to gauge support for the project and for a proposed 5.9% special general rate increase to repay a loan associated with the upgrade project.

The survey findings indicate majority support for the Raleigh works depot to be upgraded, but disagreement as to how this should be funded. In particular, residents appear opposed to the proposed special general rate increase, and supportive of Council seeking a cheaper upgrade option.

Based on an adult Shire population of 9,339, a random survey of 400 people should provide results that are accurate to within 4.8 per cent for the adult population as a whole. The phone survey was conducted between 26 March and 1 April 2008 from Jetty Research's Coffs Harbour call centre.

Among the major conclusions: -

60 per cent of respondents familiar with the depot upgrade agreed it needed to be fixed, with 13 per cent disagreeing and 27 per cent unsure.

90 per cent of respondents were aware of the proposed Raleigh Depot upgrade, with awareness slightly higher in Bellingen and towards the coast than it was in Dorrigo;

13 per cent of respondents supported Council's plan for a 5.9 per cent special general rate increase, against 73 per cent who did not support it, and 13 per cent who were unsure. Opposition to the increase was strongest among: those aware of its value; those disagreeing the depot needed to be fixed; respondents aged 40-59; and ratepayers.

Of those disagreeing with (or unsure about) the rate increase, 30 per cent believed the depot upgrade could be achieved by spending less than $3 million. (This response became more popular as the survey progressed, presumably due to media coverage canvassing such an option which appeared on the second day of polling.) A further 18 per cent claimed Council should seek amalgamation with another council, and 16 per cent believed the upgrade could be funded with accumulated funds and/or interest.

Council's General Manager, Mike Colreavy said, "The survey findings are indicative of the difficulty faced by Council in solving the extensive safety, environmental and efficiency problems that exist at the depot site." Mr Colreavy said, "Understandably, whilst recognising that there is a problem that requires rectification, the people are not happy about the prospect of having to contribute to the cost." In response to suggestions that a cheaper option be found, Mr Colreavy said that Council had already rejected a number of other more expensive options before formulating the current one. The project had already been honed down to the minimum level necessary to rectify the depot's problems for the long term. He said, "The depot is the platform from which the majority of Council's works services are delivered. It has reached the end of its useful life. The upgrade is essential to the ongoing provision of those services."

Of the 400 respondents, 13 per cent were aged 18-39, against 45 per cent aged 40-59 and 41 per cent aged 60-plus. Females made up 55 per cent of the sample, while ratepayers accounted for 86 per cent of respondents. Some 85 per cent had lived in the Shire for five or more years, and just over half (53 per cent) lived in the 2454 postcode incorporating Bellingen, Raleigh and Repton.

Rejecting suggestions reported in the Bellingen Courier-Sun that Council would achieve a $2.2 million windfall on the project, Mr Colreavy said, "We have said all along that Council will pay down any windfalls, specifically potential asset sales like the Bridge Shed, off the loan principal. Council will not be making a windfall profit from the special rate increase. We are making it very clear in our application that we seek a special increase sufficient to repay the loan. The special increase will cease as soon as that occurs. By law, the special increase has to be spent on the purpose for which it was approved. At current interest rates the loan will be fully paid early in the 16th year. This period will vary depending on changes in interest rates and the frequency of repayments which we haven't yet negotiated. Interest rates will vary over the loan period, so we don't yet know exactly what we will be up for in total repayments."

The Council needs to raise an additional $285,044 a year to fund the loan for the depot upgrade. The project will be undertaken through a competitive tender process. Ultimately that process will determine the actual project cost.

The survey results will be considered by the elected Council through the 2008/2013 management planning process in April and early May and also reported to the Department of Local Government with the application for the special rate increase.

Contact details
General Manager
council@bellingen.nsw.gov.au

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