The vote comes after months of discussion with councillors split over the proposal.

The proposed 6.9 per cent yearly rate increase will see a compounded 42 per cent rate rise with the extra funds intended to go towards infrastructure in the Greater Taree area - namely, the contentious issue of roads.

The report to be discussed at tonight's meeting recommends that "a special rate variation application under s508 of the Local Government Act 1993 will be made to IPART by the due date of 15 February 2016 indicating:

i) a 6.9 per cent rate increase each year, for years that will remain permanently in the rate base;

ii) the special rate variation commence in 2016/2017;

iii) that the purpose of the special rate variation is infrastructure maintenance and renewal;

iv) the consultation and communication approach that has been applied to preparation of this SRV;

v) that community support for the SRV, gauged through an independent statistically representative random study, outweighs opposition 49 per cent to 32 per cent; and

vi) that the general manager be council's contact for the application."

If voted for, council will submit the application to IPART by February 15.

Read more about the proposed SRV application here:

1. Rates and roads on the agenda (October 17)

2. Consultation to begin on rate rise (October 23)

3. Council staff to talk about the proposed Special Rate Variation (November 18)

4. Special rate variation to be spent on roads: "No other option" (November 20)

5. Low public response to SRV survey (December 4)

6. SRV public consult in spotlight (December 9)

7. Next step to be taken in Special Rate Variation application process after mayor slams councillors (December 11)