By Jessica Anstice
Regardless of Cardinia Shire Council Central Ward councillors Collin Ross and Carol Ryan pushing for a rate freeze, ratepayers have been handed a two percent increase in line with the State Government’s rate capping policy.
A 2020-21 budget was adopted at a council meeting held on Monday 15 June.
Weeks prior to adopting the council’s annual financial document, Cr Ross and Cr Ryan proposed a zero percent rate increase to support struggling residents through the coronavirus crisis.
“This is absolutely consistent with what I did back in 2008. I’ve always believed that ratepayers’ money is given to council and it still remains ratepayers’ money – we’re only custodians of their money,” Cr Ross said at the meeting.
“During this Covid crisis we need to leave more money in the pockets of residents to pay bills, loss of funds and to spend locally.
“After September when Job Keeper comes off and Job Seeker comes down we’re going to really find out how hard people are doing.”
After extensive discussion around a zero percent rate increase, the remaining councillors reached the conclusion that it would have a negative accumulative effect over the coming years.
“We looked at different areas of expenditure that could be cut to accommodate the decrease in revenue a zero percent increase would bring,” Cr Leticia Wilmot said.
“We explored the possible capital works projects that could be delayed or the services that could be reduced. This was a really robust and thorough process.
“We’ve all had to make our own decisions on what is and what isn’t acceptable, not only for the council residents but what is a responsible decision for our future residents.
“This decision has not been easy for anyone but our roles as councillors is to think beyond what’s happening now, beyond what’s happening for the election in October and if our decisions will be popular or not – our role is to ensure our communities continue to see the services, the support and the infrastructure they need now and in the future.”
Backed by majority of the councillors, mayor Jeff Springfield stood firm and implemented the rise, with Cr Graeme Moore suggesting the council “agrees to disagree”.
“This started back in December when we began discussing this budget, now we’re talking about changing it and bringing it back down to something that we’ve already agreed to – I just don’t understand,” Cr Moore said.
“We’ve done all this hard work to get it to this point so we can give to our community what they need to have.”
A two percent rate increase averages out at about $26 extra per annum per household, meaning residents will be paying less than 50 cents more per week.
The two percent rate rise is the maximum allowed under the government’s decision that was made in December, before the Covid crisis hit the economy.
Cr Springfield said the council needs to deliver services to the whole community as best it can through the crisis and beyond.
“The have a good hardship policy in place – anyone that is finding hardship towards paying their rates can get in touch with the council and we will help you to get through this,” he said.
“People that can’t afford to pay their rates will not be getting kicked out of their house – we have a robust hardship policy.”
