Cr Pinson will put a motion to the August 4 ordinary council meeting saying Port Macquarie-Hastings ratepayers have taken a financial hit after years of drought, bushfires, floods and the ongoing impacts of the COVID health pandemic.

Cr Pinson wants it noted that as of 30 June 2021, council has $342,612,871 invested.

She will also put on record that the Port Macquarie-Hastings local government area has experienced an unprecedented level of development activity with new rateable properties increasing council's income.

In adopting the fees and charges and revenue policy for 2021-2022, the ordinary rate was resolved to increase council's general rating income by 2.0 per cent, which is the rate peg increase approved by IPART.

Cr Pinson will move to put a freeze on rate rises until council is able to "provide evidence on how (it) will increase its delivery of key and critical projects and infrastructure with the associated resourcing plan".

She has also called for "cost reductions" within the organisation.

Cr Pinson is recommending a report be presented to the newly elected council following the December 4 elections outlining how council can achieve this.

The last special rate variation (SRV) was applied in 2012-2013 when the council was under administration. The SRV of 4.43 per cent on top of the rate peg expired on 30 June 2017.

More than 2,400 people made submissions to council on the proposed rate rise at the time, with about 90 per cent opposing the increase. Council said the SRV would allow it to make a permanent commitment to major roads maintenance and address a backlog of additional transport works.

The mayor plans another tilt at the December 4 election and the top job. She is running on a group ticket and announced on July 22 that a rate peg freeze would be among their election priorities.

The council meeting starts at 5.30pm on Wednesday, August 4 and can be viewed via council's YouTube channel.

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