FAMILIES might be enjoying the end of the financial year retail sales, but Orange City Council fee increases from Tuesday will force them to find an extra $27 a week in the household budget.
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Central Western Daily staff calculated the impact of the increases on dual income households assuming one child in full-time day care and another in school, equalling $1427.50 in extra costs this financial year.
According to council staff, average households will pay an extra $128.60 a year including the 2.3 per cent increase for residential rates, 10 per cent increases on water and sewer charges and 5.5 per cent on waste charges.
The cost of childcare is also set to increase with fees for children attending Courallie Park Child Development Centre, Spring Street Children’s Centre and Yarrawong Children’s Centre rising from $83 to $87 a day, adding an extra $20 a week for each child attending full time.
For school-aged children, after-school care will increase by a dollar a day, while Teen Time participants attending on pupil-free days and school holidays will face rises from $48 to $53 a day.
Single admission rates for the Orange Aquatic Centre will increase by 10 cents across most categories, while family 12-month season passes will increase from $1116 to $1149.50.
Orange City Council spokesman Allan Reeder said the fee increases for council-owned childcare centres and Teen Time were about maintaining high quality services.
“Parents who choose one of the council owned centres appreciate the quality of care that’s offered,” he said.
“The new fee is comparable with the prices paid at other privately run centres - the new fee is also about moving towards new government required staff-to-child ratios which are gradually being introduced.”
Mr Reeder said parents were given the new fee structure in recent months and feedback had been positive.
He said admission charges at the aquatic centre needed to keep up with inflation.
danielle.cetinski@fairfaxmedia.com.au