Fruit fee fight

By Nicole Williams
Last month, Greater Dandenong Council resolved to ask residents of VicUrban’s Meridian Estate to pay a special charge of $200 per year for five years to manage and maintain an urban orchard.
At Monday night’s council meeting, Councillor Jim Memeti presented a petition signed by 31 residents opposing the charge.
“All these people are upset by the proposal,” Cr Memeti said.
“The residents have said that $200 is too much.”
Bekim Mustifoska is currently building a house in the estate and is angered by the council’s proposal.
“It’s nonsense for the government to start asking for more money for planting some trees,” Mr Mustidoska said.
“If they want to plant these trees they should have to pay for it.”
The council report states that residents will receive the complete benefit of the trees, but Mr Mustifoska said he doesn’t see any benefits.
“I don’t think I will receive any benefits,” he said.
“If I want to have a fruit tree in front of my house I would pay for it myself so I know it is my own.”
The estate will have 274 lots when completed however Cr Memeti said there was only a handful who have moved into their new houses, and most were first home buyers.
Both Mr Mustifoska and Cr Memeti said residents believe general maintenance is already included in their rates, so question why they should pay an extra levy.
“Why do we have to pay extra money?” Mr Mustifoska said.
“It all comes down to the money.”
The scheme has been advertised to current and future residents of the estate and if more than 50 per cent object, the scheme will not proceed.
“When the report comes to council, I won’t be supporting it,” Cr Memeti said.
Submissions and objections to the special charge will close on Friday 16 April.