Councillors slap down early rate pay plan

By Melissa Meehan
CARDINIA ratepayers will not receive incentives to pay their rates early in 2012.
Councillors refused a motion raised by councillor Brett Owen at Monday night’s council meeting to further investigate the introduction of a discount or some incentive for residents who pay their rates early.
Facing stark opposition from his colleagues, Cr Owen said he was not asking for anything concrete, merely a report on the matter.
“I’m not saying we must introduce incentives or discounts, but I’d like to see the arguments for and against it,” Cr Owen said.
“I’m aware other councils do it interstate and there is an advantage of getting the money in early… it means we can make a start on capital works.”
Colleagues including councillors Collin Ross and George Blenkhorn hit out at the motion saying that if a discount was given to some, the costs would increase for others.
“We already have 25 per cent of our population paying early because they can,” Cr Ross said.
“By offering them a discount, we’re saying to the other 75 per cent that can’t afford their rates, too bad.”
“It’s terribly unfair,” Cr Blenkhorn said.
“We’ve already discussed it, I don’t think it’s worth wasting our officers time.”
Cr Owen said the idea had been raised by a ratepayer, and was disappointed his fellow councillors did not agree that further investigation was necessary.
“It doesn’t have to cost council money in dollar values,” Cr Owen said. “It could be a years parking at Emerald Lake Park or a double pass to Cardinia Life. It may or may not suit council but I think it’s worth investigating.”
The motion was lost, with Crs Owen and Graeme Moore the only ones to support the motion.
After the meeting Upper Beaconsfield resident Graham Jolly thought Cr Owen’s idea to investigate incentives was a good idea and said even if residents had a chance to win a tip voucher, Cardinia Life membership or car parking at Emerald Lake for a year it would be well received by residents.
“We also need to look into introducing direct debits to pay our rates,” Mr Jolly said.
“It’s a joke in this day and age that we don’t have that kind of technology available to us.”