Council sets limit on next rate rise

CASEY ratepayers are in for some relief with council resolving to limit the next rate increase to 1.5 per cent above the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
Councillor Michael Farley moved the motion at last week’s council meeting after being approached by two local residents who were frustrated with the continued rate rises imposed by Casey Council.
Cr Farley said he was pleasantly surprised the motion was passed by a majority of councillors.
“I’m ecstatic. It was a real win for Casey residents and I hope that the trend continues throughout the year,” he said.
“It is going to take some doing but I just hope we can do it.”
Long-term Narre Warren South local Tony Weaven said he was doing it tough in the current financial climate.
Mr Weaven said he originally pushed for the rate rise to be capped at CPI.
“I am not that pleased about that (extra 1.5 per cent). I feel the 1.5 per cent could have been funded out of the CPI,” he said.
“When you are on a pension you struggle. I wrote to a couple of councillors and the mayor but I didn’t hear back.
“It is a start. I hope to take some sort of similar action next year,” he said.