By Oscar Parry
Rates were at the core of Moorabool council’s conversation on the annual budget last week, with ratepayers set for a 3 per cent average rate increase and the council opting to investigate a municipal charge in next year’s budget process.
Although the council chose to adopt the budget with an average 3 per cent rate increase in line with the state government’s Fair Go Rates system, some councillors opposed this increase – with one councillor pitching an amendment to the way rates are collected.
At the June 25 council meeting, Cr Tom Sullivan requested an amendment that council implements a municipal charge of $360 per tenement.
He explained this would set aside a fixed charge on the rate assessment while the rest is variable and unable to exceed 20 per cent of council’s rate.
“So, it’s not as if it’s being implemented … taking the place of rates, it doesn’t add any more to the rate cap that council has … it’s basically a housekeeping charge for every ratepayer,” Cr Sullivan said.
He said this would “ bring some balance into all of this” and it “doesn’t give us one dollar more than what we already have”.
The council meeting was suspended to discuss whether this could be considered, with councillors realising that it would require community consultation and there was not enough time to do this before June 30 when councils are required to adopt their annual budget.
Instead, the council will investigate the municipal charge in next year’s budget process.
Prior to this, councillors debated the 3 per cent rate rise in this year’s budget, which Cr Rod Ward defended as “essential to the current and future wellbeing of Moorabool”.
“Towns and communities outside of Bacchus Marsh rely more heavily on ratepayer contributions for capital infrastructure improvements,” Cr Ward said.
“Moorabool, not surprisingly, is able to … more successfully secure grants for Bacchus Marsh because politicians at state and federal level see that as higher … population base,” he said.
Other councillors echoed similar sentiments, including Cr Sheila Freeman who said while she understands the financial pressures being faced by residents and as a pensioner, she believes opting for a zero rate increase would be “totally irresponsible … to the entire community”.
On the other hand, four councillors – including mayor Paul Tatchell – voted against adopting the budget.
Cr Sullivan said council “cannot ignore what is happening outside … out in Moorabool land”
“People are struggling, and I think we have a responsibility … to consider that we make these decisions, and not just look at figures … it’s more than that … people are hurting here,” he said.
