THERE are fears proposed state government legislation will open the door for mining companies and leave Moorabool Council shortchanged.
Western Metropolitan Greens MP Colleen Hartland said both sides of Parliament were likely to support the Local Government Legislation Amendment, which could stop shires charging differential rates on council land.
Councils can apply differential rates to vacant land to encourage development, with excavation industry rates currently three times more than farm land rates.
“Mining is not always supported by the community and causes higher costs for council in the damage done to roads,” Ms Hartland said.
But Local Government Minister Jeanette Powell said new guidelines would guard against inconsistency.
“A significant increase in the use of differential rates by local councils has created a complex web of different rates for similar ratepayers across Victoria.”
Moorabool mayor Pat Griffin said there was no cause for alarm just yet.
Municipal Association of Victoria president Bill McArthur said councils and communities must be adequately consulted when it came to future mining projects.
