Future Funding: Help shape a stronger Wingecarribee Shire
Published on 29 June 2026
Your rates. Your roads. Your future.
Wingecarribee Shire Council is seeking community input on two options to address the future funding of roads, buildings and essential infrastructure across the Shire.
Council is responsible for approximately $3.3 billion in community infrastructure across 26 towns and villages, covering an area of around 2,700 km², comparable in size to metropolitan Sydney.
Like many councils across NSW, Wingecarribee Council is not generating enough income to keep up with rising costs and infrastructure needs. The community has expressed desire to see roads and other community infrastructure fixed however Council does not have the financial capacity to prevent further deterioration of Council’s assets without addressing the underlying funding issue.
Over the past two years, Council has reviewed its finances, implemented numerous cost-saving measures, pursued grants and identified efficiencies. While these actions have helped improve Council’s position, independent analysis has confirmed they are not sufficient on their own to address Council’s long-term infrastructure funding challenges.
Council’s financial sustainability assessment and long-term financial modelling have identified an infrastructure funding gap of approximately $100 million over the coming decade between what is required to maintain and renew assets and the funding currently available. Of this, $31.3 million relates to urgent, critical works on roads and buildings.
At its June 2026 Ordinary Meeting, Council resolved to undertake a 60-day community consultation period from Monday 29 June to Friday 28 August 2026, exploring two potential funding options for the future.
This option would maintain annual rate increases within the rate peg set by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART), with Council continuing to rely on grants, cost savings and productivity improvements.
While Council would continue delivering services, funding would remain limited and infrastructure renewal would continue to fall behind community needs.
Under this option, there would be less funding available to renew ageing roads, buildings and other community infrastructure. Over time, this would result in more reactive repairs, higher maintenance costs, delays in upgrades and renewing facilities and roads and increasing pressure on service levels and community assets.
Option 2: Stronger Services
This option includes a proposed Special Rate Variation (SRV) and borrowings from 2027/28 to invest more in roads, buildings and essential infrastructure.
Council would continue to pursue grants, cost savings and productivity improvements while increasing investment in infrastructure renewal and maintenance.
Under this option, Council would be able to invest more in roads, buildings and community infrastructure, undertake more planned maintenance and reduce reliance on costly emergency repairs. It would also improve the long-term sustainability and reliability of community assets.
The proposed SRV would result in a cumulative and permanent increase of 34.4% in Council's rate income, introduced progressively over three years.
In simple terms, this option would provide additional funding to renew and maintain road and building infrastructure, improve reliability and reduce future costs.
Any application for an SRV must be submitted to IPART, which independently assesses the proposal against strict criteria before making a determination.
Importantly, no decision has been made about whether Council will apply for a Special Rate Variation. The purpose of this consultation is to provide the community with information about the challenges facing Council, outline the available options and gather feedback before Councillors determine the next steps later this year.
Wingecarribee Mayor Jesse Fitzpatrick said community input is central to Council making informed, long-term decisions to ensure it can continue delivering essential services.
“Council has undertaken a detailed review of its financial position and future infrastructure needs, and we’re facing a significant funding challenge that cannot be addressed through efficiencies alone.”
“The reality is that our community expects safe roads, well-maintained buildings and reliable services. The question we're asking is how we fund those things into the future.”
“This is an important process for our community. It's about making sure everyone understands the challenges, understands the options and has a genuine opportunity to have their say before any decisions are made,” he said.
Council will engage broadly across the Shire with residents, businesses, community groups, service providers, volunteers and other key stakeholders.
“I highly encourage residents to get involved and share their views in a way that suits them best. This is a conversation about the future of our community and it's important we hear from as many people as possible,” said Mayor Fitzpatrick.
Have your say! Residents can provide feedback through Council’s online engagement platform Participate Wingecarribee. In-person engagement opportunities will also be available, including information sessions, pop-up events and online webinars.
As part of this consultation, Council is also seeking community feedback on the revised Draft Delivery Program 2025–2029 including addendum and the Draft Cost Containment & Productivity Plan 2026–2030. These documents outline how Council plans to deliver services, projects and infrastructure over the next four years, while continuing to identify efficiencies, productivity improvements and opportunities to strengthen long-term financial sustainability.
Following the consultation period, all feedback will be consolidated and reported to Council at its October 2026 meeting.
Councillors will then consider the feedback and determine whether to proceed with an application to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) for a Special Rate Variation.
Should Council decide to proceed, IPART will undertake its own independent assessment and community consultation before making a final determination in 2027.