Battle against rate rise

By Rebecca Fraser
A RATE rise of 7.9 per cent? No way, say two Casey councillors.
The municipality’s mavericks — Cr Steve Beardon and Paul Richardson — have urged ratepayers to revolt against Casey council’s proposed rates hike.
Mayfield Ward councillor Steve Beardon has printed fliers at his own expense encouraging residents to write to the mayor, councillors and Casey CEO Mike Tyler objecting to the rate rise.
Cr Beardon claims that rates have gone up by 25 per cent in the past three years in Casey and said that the council’s costs and the city’s operating budget needed to be cut to free up more funds and reduce rates.
Cr Beardon said he spent last Saturday at Cranbourne Shopping Centre talking to residents about the proposed rate rise and handing out his ‘Say No’ brochures.
“Residents are not happy,” Cr Beardon said.
“Single parent families are doing it tough, fixed income retirees and many young families are struggling to meet mortgage repayments, along with petrol and childcare increases.”
Cr Beardon has also called on the council’s budget process to be reviewed, claiming that one weekend away to set the budget was ‘Looney Toons’.
Four Oaks Ward councillor Paul Richardson has also encouraged residents to apply pressure on those councillors who supported the rate rise.
He has urged residents to call and email councillors and sign a new petition he has formed in a bid to lower the rate rise.
“At this stage in time, it appears the councillors supporting the rate hike will follow their actions, unless we ratepayers place pressure on our councillors to change their views. Let’s do it before the council meets on 13 June to finalise the 2006/07 council budget,” he said.