Change the Rating system Jan 09

Monash Ratepayers Association at its public meeting in October 2008 moved resolutions to work with Council on reviewing the current Rating system. In December we sent a further recommendation to all Monash Councillors on the feasibility and advantages of changing the current Council Rating system from the current Site Value (SV) to a differential Capital Improved Value (CIV). If Council adopts the CIV without the differential this would mean that units, flats and duel occupancy Rates would increase by as much as 60%. Our association would not support this rating option.

 

The report at the December Council meeting, states that the State Government provides 50% discount on Municipal rates and charges up to a maximum of $178.60. Whilst that sounds good, there were only 800 of the 12,777 eligible pensioners that received the full 50% discount.

Pensioners while needing our support are not the only people who are affected by the increasing rates and those people who have the capacity to pay more should and the current system does not provide this equity.

 

On the surface, Councillors seem to be genuinely concerned about the excessive rate increases that occurred in 2008. But the Council has made no attempt to use the processes that are currently available to them to make reasonable reductions. Only when over 200 irate ratepayers attended a Council meeting to express their concerns, did the Councillors feel the need to address the issue.

 

Our association will wait in anticipation that the Community Consultation process will be a genuine and acceptable process.

 

As a result of the continual increase of rates beyond the CPI over many years, our membership has more than doubled in 2008 which shows this to be an increasing issue for our membership.

We would be happy to work with Council to achieve a reasonable outcome for a change to the Rating system that benefits Monash Ratepayers.  

 

Jack Davis 

President

Monash Ratepayers Association   

 

 

Council’s $1million Budget Shortfall

 

Monash Mayor Cr Paul Klisaris stated that council’s anticipated $1million budget shortfall was due to less bank interest during the economic downturn. He also stated that council was considering increasing rates and council fees. Surprise!!!!

Last year’s rate increases were unprecedented in their rises were anywhere from 10% to 80% and further to that, is the Budgeted forecast of 6% increases over the next 3 Years. This has been the same for about nine years and this is calculated on a compounded base, which means that the 6% is often a lot more than that. Added to the mix is the revaluation of properties every two years. This is an outrage!!!

The Mayor is not being honest and in fact based on the Auditor General’s Report from last year Monash Council looks like they are on very shaky ground.

 

The questions need to be asked, “What is the Audit Committee oversighting?” “Is Council spending appropriate?” Why are we spending huge amounts of money on questionable festivals, consultancies, organisations and ratepayer funded Councillor Trips?

Monash Council was once considered to be one of the most financial Councils in the State. The Victorian Auditor General’s Report last year should have set the alarm bells ringing. What happened to all the money?

 

Australia is facing high unemployment of Predicted 10% and failing businesses Council should be considering creating jobs by improving our infrastrure and our ageing sporting facilities.

Monash has the highest unemployment in the State.

 

Councillors need to realise that it is Ratepayers’ money and we are entitled to a real explanation not the spin that the Council wants us to have.

 

We wait in anticipation for some honest answers

 

Jack Davis

President

Monash Ratepayers Association Inc.

Ph. (03) 9570 6227

Mobile 0412 238 974