Shock over rates rises

AS A ratepayer and resident of Greater Dandenong for more than 35 years, I am most concerned over our direction.
Residents are suffering a bad case of shock, having just received the rates, and the constant increases are a concern. I believe it is time a review was done at the council about the upward trend in spending. It is annoying it is saying the increase is on average $1.24 a week. Ratepayers I have spoken to tell me their rates have increased by about $15 to $18 a week.
If residents look at the expenses of councillors they could see where money could be saved, especially in conferences, which we know benefit no one by attending.
In Dandenong we see a homeless epidemic that is growing, we see people sleeping on the streets with cardboard as blankets.
I think our local councillors would not know this as they are tucked in their comfortable homes, and don’t feel the need to worry about these people.
Councillors, where are your promises about the rates dropping during your council campaigns?
It would be great to see the entire local government layer removed and have things run by a state Government. This way money would be saved and put into good use for families that really need it.
Peter Jabbour,
Dandenong North