$16,000 leap!

By Jim Mynard
BALLA Balla Ward councillor Colin Butler said some landowners in the City of Casey rural sector had received rate notices with an increase from $2000 a year to $18,000.
Cr Butler said people in the rural sector had been ‘dumped in it’ because of the council’s rating policy.
His comments led to a special council meeting being set for Monday, 23 October to concentrate on the community rate review report.
He said during the Tuesday, 3 October council meeting that some land just inside the urban growth boundary (UGB) had been valued on the basis of before UBG was declared.
“We have people with the same asset value but their rates have increased nearly 10 times $18,000 for this year, then they get another $18,000 next year.
“People should not be forced into making decisions about their property because they have this type of rate increase hanging over their heads.”
He asked that a rebate system to assist private landowners with substantially increased rates be introduced and also that the council agree to a reduction of rates on retirement village units.
Four Oaks Ward councillor Rob Wilson then moved to stifle debate on the issue by asking that discussion on the points be deferred and dealt with during discussion on the rate review committee report.
“I have to applaud Cr Butler but the council commissioned a rate review committee that has made a report on rating.
“Cr Butler has tried to preempt that report on two occasions but the report still has to come before the council.
“This is not throwing his motion out but it will be dealt with at the appropriate time.”
Edrington Ward councillor Brian Hetherton said Cr Butler’s debate was preemptive.
“But I commend him for asking for a report.
“His timing, however, is inappropriate,” he said.
Cr Butler argued that the residential sector received a rate reduction in the last round of rating because rates in the rural sector increased.
“I am trying to move this along and I assure councillors I will bring my points back to the council, but with others.”
Edrington Ward councillor Mick Morland said Cr Butler was taking two bites of the cherry.
He said the council had a rate review and that time should be taken to get decisions correct.
“Our decision has to be right because it will be with the municipality for the next 20 years.
“We should discuss it when all the information is together,” he said.
The council voted to reject Cr Butler’s motion but decided to hold a special meeting on Monday, 23 October to discuss the rate review report.