A Rescission Motion and Notice of Motion by Crs Gardiner, Hart, Moore and Horan to change Palerang Council's decision not to pay back overcharged sewerage levies, in the 2008-2009 year, was successful at the Meeting held in Braidwood last Thursday.

Cr Gardiner had changed his mind after the 5-4 vote from the previous meeting, which was decided by the Mayors vote against.

The two options of refunding the money on one reduced charge year, or over 15 years of smaller reductions was put to residents and over 270 residents signed a petition in favour of the former.

When Council voted for the second option, community outrage prompted a change of heart from Cr Gardiner.

During debate, Cr Bransdon did not support the motion and warned that residents may complain when it rose again the next year, but Cr Hart said the issue was black and white. "When funding came through from the Governments, the expectation was that it would be reduced," he said.

Cr Raynolds read out a letter from ratepayers who are moving to Goulburn and wished to have their refund forwarded to a Goulburn address for the next 15 years.

Cr Gardiner said "we're not talking about refunding anything. We're talking about not charging more this year than we need."

Mayor Maclachlan said "in my view it is a year too soon, as we don't know yet how much the STP is going to cost."

The sewer access charges for Braidwood will then fall, this year only, from $878 to $662 for a residential connection, and a non residential 20mm connection will fall from $1,294 to $997.