Rates a burden

WITH the arrival of council rate notices, it is timely to re-emphasise the increasing burden being felt.
Excluding the fire services levy, the rate on our property goes up about seven per cent. In isolation that may not be seen as a big problem. But the compounding effect of such increases year after year means that in the last decade rates have more or less doubled.
Cardinia compares unfavourably with many other areas and will become more and more uncompetitive. To return to a more equitable annual charge does not demand the elimination of some works … just a postponement.
It is unreasonable to expect long-time residents to subsidise new developments while enjoying in some cases, reduced services themselves.
Peter Wigney,
Pakenham.