By Jade Lawton
Cardinia Waters Retirement Village Committee men Chris Mulcock, Ian Smith, Duncan Townsend, and Michael Beaumont. 54970 Picture:
A GROUP of Pakenham retirees have formed a ‘Grey Army’ to tackle council rates in retirement villages.
This week they launched a petition calling on Cardinia Shire Council to follow in the footsteps of other councils offering a rebate or discount to residents of retirement villages.
Ian Smith, from the Cardinia Waters residents group, said retirees were not against paying rates but wanted a ‘fair go.’
“There are roughly 16 blocks per hectare (in normal residential areas) and here on the hectare they get roughly 40 villas. So per hectare here we are paying $16,000 to $17,000 more than a hectare outside,” he said.
However, a council spokesperson refuted this, saying retirement village residents did not pay higher rates than those in average residential areas
The council rates pay for garbage collection, but Mr Smith said the village itself paid for and maintained amenities like the bowling green, grass areas, roads and lights.
The rates were particularly tough for widowers surviving on a single pension, he said.
Cardinia Residents and Ratepayers Association President Gloria O’Connor said retirement village residents had good reason to seek a review.
“The council has room to be flexible with the differential rating system … with more retirement villages coming it is necessary to consider a fairer rating policy.”
Council staff and a valuer visited Cardinia Waters Retirement Village in August to give a description of the budget process and how rates were determined.
“The process to value the units is specified in guidelines set down by the Valuer-General. Valuations are based on a number of factors including relevant sales information. The valuation process is audited by the Victorian Government’s Valuer–General. Council has no input into how the valuations are determined and cannot in any way influence those valuations,” the council spokesperson said.
Chris Mulcock said his fellow Cardinia Waters residents contributed to the community through volunteering and shopping local.
“I have not met one person who hasn’t bought locally. We are part of the community and we recognise our responsibilities don’t stop at the gate,” he said.
“We don’t mind paying our share, but we are just getting ripped off.”
But a council spokesperson said the council was happy to develop individual payment programs to help people having difficulty paying rates.
“We recognise that some people find paying rates difficult and will do everything we can to support them.”
Ratepayers are encouraged to contact council on 1300 787 624 as soon as they receive their rate notices if they believe they will find it hard to meet payment dates.
