Consultant may examine rates

CASEY Council has rejected recommendations in the Casey Community Rate Review Committee report and will consider seeking further advice from a consultancy.
The council also rejected a council officer’s recommendation to the special Casey Council meeting on Monday that the council confirm its current system of a uniform rate on capital improved valuations.
This followed extensive debate.
The rate review report recommended the introduction of a heritage rate rebate, phasing in of differential vacant land rates, a green wedge rate rebate scheme, and the adoption of a separate service charge for garbage collection.
The council faces making a choice between the present uniform rate and introducing a differential rating system that would allow a varying rate in the dollar to be levied on different sectors.
Debate began when Four Oaks Ward councillor Rob Wilson moved for the status quo, but Springfield Ward councillor Lorraine Wreford said the present system was a one-size-fits-all method.
“But we don’t have a one-size-fits-all community,” she said.
The council then rejected a motion from Balla Balla Ward councillor Colin Butler that an officer’s report be brought back on the introduction of implementing a differential rating system.
Edrington Ward councillor Brian Hetherton asked the council to establish an officer’s investigation into rating equity, efficiency and effectiveness, and to develop a system that reflected those principles.
Casey manager of property rates and valuations Peter Gillieron said this would become an extensive investigation involving considerable resources.
Chief executive Mike Tyler said such an investigation would need to involve a consultancy and recommended that the idea be costed.
Officers have been asked to bring back a report on the cost of conducting the investigation.
Cr Hetherton said the debate had centred on greed because some councillors were using the impact on individual wards rather than to look at the municipal situation.