Boost council funds: mayor

By Paul Dunlop
MAYOR Kate Lempriere has flagged plans to pressure the State Government to increase its funding for growtharea councils like Cardinia.
Speaking in the wake of council’s decision to abandon its controversial municipal levy, Cr Lempriere last week said the state was not doing enough to support councils faced with the task of building Melbourne’s newest suburbs.
Councillor Ed Chatwin, who led the decision to cut the levy, also said council was not getting its fair share of support.
“State Government revenue is down to 32 per cent of our total revenue. It was close to 48 per cent,” he said.
“The State Government is putting more and more of the burden on to ratepayers.”
Councillors have already said rates were likely to rise after the decision to cut the $50 levy on all property owners in the shire out of this year’s budget.
The decision, hotly contested at council’s 19 March meeting, will cost the shire at least $1.3 million in revenue.
Cr Lempriere said she wanted to see the state do more for Cardinia.
Cardinia Ratepayers and Residents Association president Gloria O’Connor welcomed the decision to cut the levy.