Moorabool council will undertake a “thorough review” of its rating strategy ahead of the 2024-25 budget.
Councillor Tom Sullivan moved as a matter of urgent business for council to commence the review as soon as possible, and consider all potential options.
Conversations about Moorabool’s rating system have been recurrent throughout the year. At the September council meeting Cr Sullivan said he had heard from numerous people whose rates have gone up nearly 100 per cent.
“It clearly indicates to me that we have a system that’s broken. We need to get something in place that removes those anomalies,” he said.
“Some of these people are on pensions. All of a sudden they’ve got a 100 per cent increase on their rates which is not tolerable.”
Councillor Tatchell agreed, saying that the issue is especially prevalent for rates on rural properties.
“We are at the crossroads with this and if we don’t get on top of this, we’re going to be in a heap of trouble and so are our residents. I too have been getting the same amount of calls,” he said.
Millbrook resident Katherine LittleJohn said she has long had issues with rates stemming from zoning and site values.
“The shire needs to realise that the farming zone residents play poor cousin to the built up areas, and that needs to be addressed,” she said.
