LHPA rates not increased for all
Wednesday April 29, 2009
The State Government has condemned the few Livestock Health and Pest Authorities (LHPAs) which increased their rates above the Consumer Price Index (CPI) following a recent restructure of the organisation.
Minister for Primary Industries Ian Macdonald met with the LHPA State Council to discuss the rating system last week.
While many landholders across the state have expressed outrage at the rate increases, a recent NSW Farmer’s Association survey revealed that many farmers in fact experienced rate decreases.
The survey found that the average rate charged had actually decreased.
Local landholder and former Cobar Rural Lands Protection Board director Marie Russell said she believes only a “handful” of ratepayers in the Cobar region experienced increases.
“Converted from percentages to dollars these were not large increases,” Mrs Russell said.
“I believe there were only two official complaints regarding increases from the Cobar region.”
She said the former Cobar RLPB had not had any rate increases for over six years because of the ongoing drought.
“The pest insect levy was also deferred for the past two years because of the drought.
“The LHPA is only a collection agent for the pest insect levy,” Mrs Russell said.
The pest insect levy has been collected since 1934, however many farmers are calling for the government to subsidise it because incidents such as locust plagues are considered a natural disaster.
Mr Macdonald said the most excessive rate increases were experienced in the Cumberland, Mid-North Coast and North Coast LHPA regions.
“Let’s be clear, the vast majority of authorities have acted appropriately and have demonstrated good management,” Mr Macdonald said.
He said he will meet with the LHPA state council in an effort to introduce “regulatory arrangements” to prevent excessive increases in rates.
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