Community members for review panel

In January-February 2025, we asked for community members to join a Community Reference Panel to provide feedback and advice to Council on the review of its rates structure.

The panel was asked to provide confidential feedback and advice to Council in relation to rates structure options, specifically on:

• the taxation principles
• the proposed subcategories
• the proposed base and ad valorem rates

The panel was to provide community views and advice into a preferred rates structure option. The intention was for the rates structure to then be presented to the community for comment as part of a draft Revenue Policy. The draft Revenue Policy was planned to be on public exhibition in April-May 2024.

Membership

The Panel had approximately 10-12 members and was selected through an expression of interest process.

They were ratepayers, however also could be business owners or residents of QPRC. We sought members who would represent a range of ratepayer groups, including:

• Business ratepayers
• Residential ratepayers
• Farmland ratepayers
• From Braidwood, Bungendore, Queanbeyan, Googong, Jerrabomberra and rural areas.

Members met with Council staff at least twice during March 2024.

We developed Terms of Reference for the Panel which is available for download in the documents panel.