Last week the Minister for Local Government Barbara Perry released the Snapshot of NSW Councils, a report that shows data for of all 152 councils across key indicators for 2008/09.

The report, based on data supplied by councils to the Division of Local Government, shows councils charged NSW ratepayers an average of $760 in yearly rates in 08/09, an increase from the previous year’s average of $732.

(Palerang $718.87 up 9.8%)

The report found that Hunters Hill Council charged its residents the state’s highest average residential rates of $1203, an increase from $1167 the previous year. Residents of Brewarrina Shire Council were charged the least, with average residential rates of just $98.62. Palerang Residential Rates averaged $718.87, up 9.8%

Other key findings from the report include:

• Blacktown City Council had the largest population (292,612) and Urana the smallest (1270);

• The largest council area is Central Darling (53,509km square) and the smallest is Hunters Hill (6km square);

• Total outstanding rates and annual charges in 08/09 is $236 million;

• Bourke Shire Council spent the most per capita on recreation and leisure ($306).

Some of the data for Palerang includes; Farmland rates averaged $1,884.35 (up 9.5%); Business rates averaged $638.84 (up 6.8%) against Group average of $1678.29; Outstanding rates and charges were at 9.46 % against a NSW Median of 6%.

For Palerang the percentage movement in rates and annual charges from previous year was 6.77 against a NSW Median of 4.5%; Percentage movement in user charges and fees from previous year 10.50% against NSW Median of 5.4%; the total continuing operations income per capita $1,529.89 up 2.9%, against NSW Median of $1303.

The number of equivalent full time staff was 115.60, against NSW Median of 199.

The net recreation and leisure expenses per capita was $54.58, against a group average of $104.65; and the community services expenses per capita was $3.47 (variation -55.3) against a group average of $84.56.

The full Snapshot of NSW Councils report is available at www.dlg.nsw.gov.au