The revelation came after council announced its draft budget for 2010/11 at its ordinary meeting last Tuesday night.

The proposed budget will also see revenue raised by an additional 0.95 per cent from commercial, industrial and mixed use businesses.

Households will also have to pay a new environmental charge of $22, which council said would raise $648,000 over three years for initiatives directly related to reducing carbon emissions and improving environmental sustainability across the shire.

Mayor Janine Booth defended the rate rise, saying council was committed to taking on a strong leadership role on environmental sustainability.

"We believe it is very important to hold the increase in revenue to be raised from all property types to 7.6 per cent - an increase of 0.3 per cent on last year," she said.

"The additional 0.95 per cent to be sourced from commercial, industrial and mixed use businesses will raise $100,000 towards funding the important economic, development and tourism programs and projects which most directly benefit these property types.

"In previous years these businesses have paid 10 per cent extra on the general rate. This will now be 16 per cent."

With the money raised, council plans to hire new staff, including an emergency management officer at a cost of $48,900 per year, an environmental officer to be paid $65,000 per year, and the development of an energy discount action plan, to cost $43,500 over three years.

Other budget highlights include an increase in infrastructure renewal for roads, bridges and footpaths to $250,000, and $180,000 over three years to control the spread of the elm leaf beatle.

"We have also retained our five per cent 'top-up' rebate for pensioners who qualify for the State Government's Pension Rate Remission Scheme, taking the rebate to $21 for eligible pensioners," Ms Booth said. "The farm rate will also remain at discounted rate of 70 per cent of the

general rate. The proposed budget is now on public exhibition, with public submissions open until 5pm Monday, May 24. Council will meet on Tuesday, June 8 to consider any submissions prior to the budget being presented for formal adoption on June 22.