Casey must cut: pensioners

Narre Warren pensioners Owen and Maurveen Carlton believe Casey Council’s proposed rate rise will hi
A PAIR of aged pensioners claim Casey Council’s proposed rate rise will spell disaster for those on fixed incomes.
Narre Warren couple Owen and Maurveen Carlton said the proposed 7.9 per cent rise would hit low-income earners and pensioners hard.
The pair said the new proposed rate rise would have a horrible effect on their financial circumstances and called on the council to tighten its purse strings.
Mr Carlton, 72, said the current rise in fuel costs and general living expenses meant those on fixed and low incomes were already feeling the pinch.
He said the retired pair was lucky enough to own their home, but many people would be far less fortunate.
Mr Carlton said the rate increase, coupled with other rising costs, would also mean that some people would no longer be able to afford to live in Casey.
“Last year’s rate rise was rather difficult to cope with and here we are again having to facing another chop at our meagre income. Rate rises must be kept in line with the CPI, say, four per cent and no more.
“We are forever tightening our belts on spending due to the rising cost of living. The big problem is that our pension income is tied to CPI, but all other things such as council rate rises are going up at a far higher rate,” he said.
Mr Carlton said Casey Council needed to prioritise and look at ways to save costs and reduce the rate increase.
“Casey and other councils need to start looking internally at costs.
“We need to push on to council that they need to prioritise the must-haves, need-to-haves and like-to-haves.
“If the economic situation is good, they can have it all, but if things are tight, the like-to-haves have to drop.
“It is just the same in your own personal or business budget — you need to sort out your priorities and what you can afford.
“Has council ever thought of tightening its belt? Of course not, it’s not their money,” he said.