By ANEEKA SIMONIS
RATEPAYERS will face a 5.5 per cent rate hike under Cardinia Shire Council’s 2015-’16 draft budget after a councillor’s futile effort at rate capping.
All councillors except Colin Ross, who supports council rate capping, backed the budget proposal which includes more than $30 million on Capital Works infrastructure programs such as upgrades to Officer Secondary College, Emerald Community Hub and various roads and footpaths across the shire.
He said the rate increase was more than double the consumer price index (CPI), putting residents under “immense stress” to afford the cost of living in the shire.
“Most wages go up roughly in line with the CPI, so therefore people’s wages will be behind when paying some of these bills,” he said.
“Our rates have gone up over 119 per cent in the past 11 to 12 years … I find that absolutely amazing that they have increased that much.”
He said council rates had risen from the “$400 dollar mark to $1200” in just over a decade.
However Councillor George Blenkhorn, who proposed the draft budget, described it as responsible, citing an expected rate reduction at no expense to community and infrastructure projects in the coming years.
“The 5.5 per cent rate increase is 0.4 per cent lower than last year and continues an ongoing downward trend as part of a four-year financial plan,” a council release read.
The proposed budget estimates an $8.4 million surplus.
His sentiments were echoed by other Cardinia Shire councillors including Mayor Leticia Wilmot who believed the budget was “realistic” given the area’s rapid population growth.
“Our aim is to balance deliver the infrastructure and services that our communities need while also recognising that many people are doing it tough,” Cr Wilmot said.
“Careful financial management is crucial and it is pleasing to see that this year we are forecasting a budget surplus and will be reducing our debt by more than $5 million over the next four years.
Capital Works program proposals include:
Officer Secondary College Stadium and Community Hub ($2.2 million)
Emerald Community Hub ($1.5 million)
IYU Recreational Reserve (regional soccer facility) ($1.4 million)
Lang Lang sporting facilities ($1.3 million)
Emerald netball facility ($1.1)
Heatherbrae Recreational Reserve ($1.0 million)
Council will also invest $13.9 million into renewing and upgrading roads, bridges and footpaths, replacing drainage and improving recreation reserves and sporting facilities.
A grants program worth $500,000 will support community capital works projects while a further $150,000 has been set aside to implement improvements identified in township strategies.
The $50 rebate scheme for residential ratepayers who are in receipt of a Newstart Allowance will continue in 2015-’16.
The draft budget was released on Monday 20 April – the same day state Labor released a discussion paper around Essential Services Commission (EDC) to cap council rates.
A notice of motion to support the ‘Fair Go for Ratepayers” rate-capping policy was flagged by councillor Ross but did not receive majority council support.
The draft budget is available online at cardinia.vic.gov.au/haveyoursay.
Residents are encouraged to preview the budget ahead of an information session at the civic centre at 7pm on Monday 11 May.
Community members can make submissions about the draft budget before Thursday 21 May for council’s consideration on Monday 1 June.
The budget will be finalised on Monday 15 June.
