As the Summit Sun went to press, furious residents of Snowy River Shire were preparing to converge on the council chambers in Berridale to hear councillors debate the budget dilemma facing the shire.
Council's business paper for the extraordinary meeting flagged an estimated $1.7 million deficit for this financial year and council officers were recommending a rates hike of 4 per cent, over and above the cap of 3.2 per cent set by the State Government. In addition they recommended a rise in the minimum rate from $405 to $440.
Any proposals to charge above the rate pegging level would need State Government approval but if consent is given, it would mean a rate rise of 7.2 per cent for residents this year.
Council officers have also flagged a number of services and payments which they believe need to be cutback in order to produce a balanced budget.
These include no funding of a crime prevention plan, no funding of the development of the shire brand and deferment of property maintenance.
However should approval for the 7.2 rate increase not be received then SERAS contributions, sponsorship of the SouthCare helicopter service, contribution to Tourism Snowy Mountains and the closure of Adaminaby swimming pool, could all be on the cards.
Snowy River Shire Mayor, Richard Wallace warned: "There has to be a lot of cutbacks in the organisation. Things that were going to be done, won't be."
The council claims that much of its problems are a result of additional costs being shifted onto it by the State Government, such as increased payments for the Rural Fire Service.
But Member for Monaro, Steve Whan, denies cost shifting by the State Government and told the Summit Sun: "I think it is of some concern that council is in such a different situation from where it was just a couple of years ago."
Mr Whan has already admitted that there needs to be a greater share of the tax revenue coming through to local government but said: "I am sympathetic but not to shutting down core services such as the swimming pool at Adaminaby. Ratepayers in rural areas should be able to expect these services."
To add to residents' woes, Regional Express (Rex) announced yesterday morning that it would not be restarting the Snowy Mountains to Sydney service.
Sales and Network Strategy General Manager of Rex, Warwick Lodge, said that he couldn't see the service restarting in anything less than two or three years time and hoped that another airline could be found for the route.