Rates up by 6.9%

By Mara Pattison-Sowden
YARRA Ranges residents face an average 6.9 per cent rate rise this year – well under last year’s hike.
The council says this will fund a “responsible budget” that delivers capital works and provides essential services, while maintaining facilities and infrastructure.
The increase is less than last year’s 7.65 per cent rise and the same as that in 2009/10.
It could have been worse, the shire said, after the State Government announced a further increase to the municipal landfill levy from $30 to $44 per tonne, to fund waste recycling improvements.
Councillors endorsed the draft budget at last Tuesday’s 10 May meeting, and said they were keen to hear what ratepayers thought about it.
Yarra Ranges mayor Terry Avery said the budget would enable council to continue providing critical services while also addressing current demands for improved facilities and infrastructure.
“That (the rate rise) represents an increase of $2.06 for an average property,” Cr Avery said.
Corporate services director Rebecca McKenzie told the Mail rates were often seen as a fee for services but they were effectively another tax.
“Our costs are rising but we also have pressures with state and federal government funding,” she said.
“Plus there’s council’s program of renewal and development of significant community infrastructure.”
“This vision is beginning to be seen over these next few years and the rates are contributing to that.”
Ms McKenzie said the many aspects that made the shire such a desirable place to live – the mixture of urban and rural land, the space and beauty of the valley and hills – also provided an economic challenge to the council.
“Many people compare rates across the municipalities but every council requires different amounts of money to deliver services,” she said.
“Most money goes to labour, supplies and contract costs and those don’t track at the same rate.”
The council is also changing the way rates are charged by including the municipal charge as part of the general rates levied.
The municipal charge will now be calculated as a percentage of property value rather than as a fixed charge.