Lithgow City Council is supporting a push from Local Government NSW to abolish the rate exemption from Forestry land. Source: Lithgow Mercury
Lithgow council has estimated that the value of foregone rates on Forestry lands in the Lithgow LGA is $414,000 per annum.
“A rate exemption currently applies to operational land managed by the dNSW Forestry Corporation. Forestry operations have an impact on Council roads and other transport infrastructure in the Lithgow Council LGA and beyond,” Lithgow City Council mayor Cr Stephen Lesslie said.
“The Mayor of Oberon Council, Cr Kathy Sajowitz, has written to the Hon Paul Toole MP to establish a dialogue with a view to finding a solution to the issue. Lithgow Council supports the action taken by Cr Sajowitz.”
LGNSW and Lithgow Council have called on the State Government to introduce a system for transport infrastructure contributions by the Forestry Corporation to address the ongoing infrastructure maintenance, upgrade and renewal needs of council roads.
