LANDOWNERS angered by last year’s rural rates increase have met with Melton’s councillors and chief executive ahead of the release of the 2012-13 draft budget.
The council had no comment, other than to confirm the meeting occurred.
Chief executive Kel Tori said Melton Rural Property Group members were given the chance to raise their concerns.
But members claimed councillors guided discussion “only into areas [where] they are comfortable”.
“The topics the group would have ideally liked to discuss were deemed by the councillors and council executive to be off limits; namely the 2011-12 council rates, so the delegation discussed other issues pertaining to issues around the rating procedure,” the group said in a statement.
The statement said the group would wait to see if issues discussed would be reflected in the 2012-13 budget.
“It will be interesting to see how councillors accommodate their community when they are in situations of hardship and experiencing substantial pain and suffering as a result of decisions made within the 2011-12 budget,” the group said.
Melton residents are being encouraged to attend information sessions on the council’s draft 2012-13 draft budget on June 13 and 14. The sessions in Caroline Springs and Melton will provide a chance for residents to ask questions and give feedback.
Mayor Justin Mammarella said submissions would be received until July 2, ahead of the budget’s adoption on July 12. The community sessions are at Melton Community Hall from 7pm on June 13 and at Caroline Springs Civic Centre from 7pm on June 14.
