Council Rate Increase 2026

Application to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal for a permanent one-year special variation of 39.9%

At a meeting on 14 January 2026, Cessnock City Council voted to submit an application to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) for a permanent one-year Special Variation (SV) of 39.9%, inclusive of the applicable rate peg, to general income, commencing in the 2026/27 financial year.

The application is supported by extensive independent financial analysis, updated Long Term Financial Planning, efficiency and capacity-to-pay assessments, and a comprehensive community engagement program undertaken in accordance with IPART and Office of Local Government (OLG) requirements.

Wollombi Valley Chamber of Commerce (WVCC) and Wollombi Valley Community Association (WVCA) put a series of questions to Council regarding the proposed application to IPART for a rate rise of 39.3%. Click to link below to read the response from Council to these questions.