Councillors voted unanimously last night to send a proposal to Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal to lift rates by an average of 7.25 per cent annually for seven years.

Cr Steve Proctor said voting for the rise was one of the toughest decisions he had made during his 15 years on council.

“I’m a ratepayer as well. We’ll all contribute,” he said.

Ratepayer Douglas Clement questioned ­council’s community ­consultation during the public forum at last night’s general meeting.

Mr Clement said 63 of the 67 written submissions to council had opposed the rate rise.

He accused council of ignoring ratepayers’ opinions and appealed for councillors to vote down the proposed hike.

But Cr Bob Geoghegan said results of the independent phone survey, that showed 95 per cent of respondents wanted council services to improve, were important to consider.

Ratepayers can make formal public comment directly to IPART between February 24 and March 24 before the final decision is handed down.