"Council is currently finalising details for the special rate variation (SRV) it will be presenting to the community prior to making its application to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) in February 2021.

"In a few weeks' time every ratepayer will be posted a comprehensive Fact Sheet as well as a survey form.

"We understand people are impatient to hear from us, but we must abide by the rules of the SRV process as laid out by IPART and the Office of Local Government.

"For now we can confirm the SRV will be sizeable.

"We also confirm the purpose of the SRV is to try to assure financial sustainability, with a view to maintaining service levels wherever possible, in response to very significant cost pressures imposed by the May 2016 forced amalgamation and subsequent rate path freeze.

"Council will be conducting Community Meetings, Citizen Juries, and posting videos in an extensive community engagement campaign.

"The majority of these activities will occur in January.

"Please rest assured everyone will have the opportunity to have a say.

"Council has engaged Professor Joseph Drew to ensure there is genuine engagement and everything possible is done to ensure our final submission in February reflects the community's wishes and feedback."