Rates great for some

By Nicole Williams
PROPERTY valuations will see council rates soar for some residents and fall for a lucky few.
In the proposed budget released by the City of Greater Dandenong on Monday, the average residential rate was set at 4.15 per cent, including a 1 per cent carbon tax allowance.
But the effect of the regular revaluation of all rateable properties earlier this year will see residents impacted differently.
Residents in Bangholme have seen the value of their properties increase by 41.03 per cent, but will be slugged with a 36.66 per cent rate raise.
In comparison, residential properties in Springvale North have fallen by less than 1 per cent, which will see rates fall by 4.02 per cent.
Council does not receive any additional revenue from the revaluation.
Greater Dandenong corporate services director Mick Jaensch said 51 per cent of residents will have a rate increase of 3 per cent or below.
The commercial and vacant residential land will also see a greater than average rate increase.
Councillors discussed the rate rise in depth at Monday night’s meeting, with some councillors arguing it was too high for residents struggling with the cost of living.
Councillor Maria Sampey suggested $430,000 allocated for unapproved traffic light installation on a VicRoads road was unnecessary and would reduce rates by 0.5 per cent.
“There are a lot of residents and ratepayers who really feel and experience the tough economic times in every respect,” she said.
“VicRoads have not made a decision as to whether traffic lights are viable at that intersection if it will be funded – we cannot act on the presumption of what VicRoads may or may not do in the future.”
Cr Roz Blades also argued that the average rate should be lowered to assist struggling families in the city.
“It is a large sum of money and people do worry about whether they are going to pay that rate bill or buy food,” Cr Blades said.
“Anything to make life easier for ratepayers we should do – we need to decide if we are part of this community or apart from this community.”
A rate cut of 0.5 per cent would save the average household 6.7 cents per week; a saving Cr Memeti said was not enough to warrant the small cut.
The original rate rise of 4.15 per cent for residential properties was supported by the majority of councillors at the meeting.
Under the proposed budget, commercial rates and industrial rates will both increase by 5.07 per cent, vacant residential land will increase by 15.24 per cent and farm rates will increase by 6.68 per cent.
The proposed budget is available for public inspection and comment until 20 June. It will be presented to the council for formal adoption on 25 June.