Your Rates, Your Voice
MossRates is built on three core principles:
Transparency in local government
Fair and affordable rates and tariffs
Responsible environmental and infrastructure stewardship
The association operates on the belief that informed communities strengthen governance. MossRates does not exist to oppose local government, but to engage constructively, using evidence, public data, and established governance frameworks to support better outcomes for residents and the municipality alike.
Rates and service charges have a direct and ongoing impact on household affordability and business sustainability. MossRates advocates for rate and tariff increases that are:
Transparent in their calculation
Clearly justified by underlying costs
Phased responsibly and aligned with economic realities
MossRates supports the principle that municipalities must be financially sustainable, but also that increases should be fair, proportionate, and clearly explained. Where information is unclear or difficult to access, MossRates works to analyse publicly available data and request clarification in the interests of informed engagement.
Transparency is central to trust. MossRates advocates for open access to information, clear explanations of municipal decisions, and meaningful public participation in council processes.
This includes engagement on issues such as:
Budget priorities and spending trends
Tariff structures and billing clarity
Governance arrangements affecting public accountability
By asking questions and encouraging disclosure, MossRates helps ensure that decisions affecting ratepayers are understood, scrutinised, and aligned with good governance principles.
Environmental health is inseparable from community wellbeing and long-term economic resilience. MossRates supports initiatives that prioritise:
River and estuary rehabilitation
Responsible water management and security
Sustainable development that protects natural assets
Healthy rivers, wetlands, and coastal systems support biodiversity, tourism, property values, and quality of life. MossRates promotes evidence-based environmental stewardship and encourages collaboration between communities, experts, and authorities to achieve lasting outcomes.
Individual concerns are easily overlooked; organised, informed engagement is not. MossRates provides a structured platform through which ratepayers can engage constructively on shared issues, supported by research, governance principles, and a commitment to fairness.
By working together, residents strengthen their ability to influence decisions, improve transparency, and support sustainable solutions that benefit the entire community.
MossRates is about participation, not confrontation — and about building a future that is fair, transparent, and environmentally responsible.