The SE Voice’s coverage of a potential 5% cut in local council rates – pending an SA legislative change – has made news in State Parliament.


Last month The SE Voice aired the views of Wattle Range Mayor Des Noll, who told the March meeting that ratepayers could have their bills slashed if rating discounts for electricity generation companies were ceased.


The area is home to around 100 wind turbines and under the current State Government legislation, enacted in the mid-1990s, with indications the council is missing out on an estimated $1m every year in rates.


The SE Voice article caught the eye of One Nation MLC Sarah Game, who spoke in support of the Bill, proposed by Independent MLC Frank Pangallo.


Dr Game noted the amendment was backed by the Local Government Association of SA, then referenced The SE Voice’s coverage.


“Underwriting this overwhelming support from the local government sector has been suggestions of rates discounts should this Bill become law,” Dr Game told the chamber.


“Indeed, the Wattle Range Council has already raised the prospect of a 5% cut to ratepayers’ annual bills, as reported on recently in local media, including The SE Voice.”


Dr Game said that if the Statutes Amendment (Rates – Electricity Generation) Bill 2025 passed, she would monitor affected councils to see if savings were passed on.


“I will be keeping a very close eye on the impacted councils to see if they indeed follow through with these mooted cost-of-living cuts, or whether the additional funds reaped merely disappear into council coffers,” she said.


“Because local government certainly has a role to play in easing cost-of-living pressures, chiefly through its own spending decisions and subsequent rates charges, many of which have escalated way above CPI.”


At the Wattle Range Council’s meeting, Mayor Noll described the “massive discounts” – introduced to encourage growth in the renewable energy sector – as “outdated”.


Dr Game supported Mr Pangallo’s Bill, explaining that initial fears she held about potential unintended impacts had been allayed during a meeting with the LGA.


“One of our concerns with this amendment was whether it would potentially serve as a disincentive for South Australian energy investment, which is the last thing we need, given the rush to unproven, costly renewables embraced by this nation and our own state,” she said.


“However, we have been reassured that energy companies do not make location decisions based on council rates, which pale in comparison to operating costs. The LGA tells us this observation is backed up by data.


“Our other concern is whether any increased costs incurred by energy companies would be passed on to consumers. Again, the LGA has reassured us these costs cannot be passed on due to the structure of the national market, including spot pricing.”