A phone survey on a proposed 26% rate rise has triggered claims of push polling, with residents saying the call felt more like persuasion than consultation.

A Council-commissioned phone survey on Ballina’s proposed Special Rate Variation has angered some residents, who say the 15-minute script was designed to steer them toward a rate rise.

While only a small number of people have directly contacted Ballina News Daily, many more have aired concerns across community forums and social media, describing the survey as “leading”, “one-sided” and “a sales pitch dressed up as research.”

Rob, a business owner from East Ballina, said he ended the call frustrated.

“It’s an insult to our intelligence,” Rob said. 

“They don’t want to know what we think — they are guiding us to the answer they want.”

He said the script repeatedly warned that without a rate rise, roads, community facilities and local infrastructure would deteriorate, but offered no alternative scenario such as reducing overheads or adjusting project priorities.

What the survey told residents

The call, conducted by research company Micromex, began with routine demographic questions before moving into a multi-minute explanation of Council’s financial position, including a claimed $9 million annual funding gap and the assertion that Ballina’s rates are 11% lower than comparable councils.

Residents were then asked to choose between two options:

Option 1: Standard rate peg, with the script stating this would lead to reduced services and delayed maintenance.

Option 2: A 6% annual SRV over four years, resulting in an estimated 26.25% cumulative increase to maintain and improve assets such as roads, stormwater, open spaces and community facilities.

Some residents said the framing made it difficult to reject the SRV without appearing to choose service cuts.

“They call it small, but it isn’t small for us”

Margaret, a pensioner from Alstonville, said the survey left her anxious.

“They call it a small increase, but it isn’t small for us,” Margaret said.

“Some weeks I’m already choosing which bills to pay.”

She said she felt pressured to express support for the SRV despite not believing the choice was as simple as the questions implied.

Peter, a long-term Lennox Head resident, said the survey felt predetermined.

“I’ve seen better odds at the pub raffles,” Peter said.

“At least those don’t pretend to be research.”

He said he supports good local infrastructure but believes Council should also address cost control, staff arrangements and project timing before pursuing permanent rate increases.

Council denies it’s push polling

In a response to Ballina News Daily, Ballina Shire Council rejected suggestions that the survey was designed to influence residents.

Council said Micromex is an independent research company operating under the Research Society Code of Professional Behaviour and that the survey structure reflects IPART requirements, which direct councils to test community willingness to reduce service levels if revenue does not increase.

“The survey does not attempt to influence opinions,” Council said in a statement.

“It explains the proposal and asks for views. Respondents are free to support or oppose.”

Council said the phone research is only one part of a wider consultation program that includes drop-in sessions, an online rate calculator, written submissions and Your Say Ballina.

The cost of the survey, Council added, will be reported transparently.

Industry sources say pricing for a 15-minute survey of 400–600 residents typically ranges between $40,000 and $55,000, depending on weighting, analysis and reporting.

Consultation is not over

While Council’s formal feedback period closed on Friday, the SRV proposal has not yet returned to a Council meeting for a final decision. Councillors must still vote before an application is sent to IPART.

Residents can still contact councillors directly:

councillors@ballina.nsw.gov.au

BND encourages constructive discussion — share your thoughts below in the comments.