Special Rate Variation Community Engagement Report - Shoalhaven City Council

The regression model explained 28% of the variation in the perceptions of the Council’s
negative financial situation (see Figure 4). The most important reason affecting the negative
financial situation is Council’s experience with a backlog of required work. Its effect is
important and significant. Having a fairly good understanding of the current condition of
Council’s assets also has a significant impact on the negativity of the Council’s financial
situation. The effect size of the impact shows that as the understandings of the conditions of
the assets increases ‘1’ point on average, the negative perceptions towards the financial
situation increases ‘4’ points. According to regression model, Council’s not spending
enough money on maintenance affects its negative financial situation. As the perceptions
towards not enough money spent on maintenance increases one point on average, the
negative perceptions of financial situation increases 2.7 points. Finally, the results show that
the large number of assets requiring maintenance and the new rates proposal do not
have an important or significant effect on the negative perceptions of the Council’s financial
situation.
2.4.1 Recommended ways to raise revenue
When the respondents were asked to recommend ways for the Council to raise revenue, the
most common recommendations were related to better management methods (see Table 4).
Residents suggested that the Council management should work more efficiently and be more
productive. They recommended that council review their investment strategy. They claimed
that cutting some internal expense would be helpful to raise revenue. They also recommend a
reduction in the number of staff, to leave more room for more productive positions in the
Council workforce.
Residents recommend conducting events and activities for the council to raise revenue. They
suggested that more community events, festivals, fairs, concerts, and annual shows would not
only raise funds for the Council but also bring the Shoalhaven community together.
Tourism was suggested as a way to raise revenue. Residents stated that more active
promotion strategies for tourism in Shoalhaven would contribute to the council’s financial
situation positively. Tourists could be charged for the existing tourist attractions and also for
the activities that are held by the Council. Furthermore, if the tourism is improved, the
facilities that are mainly used by tourists would generate more revenue.
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