Blogger’s revenge for rate hike

CASEY Council’s original proposal to hike up rates by 7.9 per cent spurred a Narre Warren South resident into action.
Damian Donovan created his own Casey Rates Watch website in response to the proposed rate increase, and has urged local residents to log on and contribute to the blog.
Mr Donovan said he had emailed Casey councillors following the announcement of the proposed rate rise, but felt his questions had not been properly answered.
The father of three said on his website that Casey Rates Watch is intended to keep a close watch on councillors and their behaviour with respect to how they spend council rates and local taxes.
Mr Donovan said council had developed a habit in recent times of raising annual rates by “exorbitant” amounts. “With this as the trigger, I hope other ratepayers will join with me in putting them and their actions under some close scrutiny,” he said.
Anyone wishing to contribute to the Casey Rate Watch can go to the website at http://caseyrateswatch.blogspot.com
On Tuesday night, Casey Council voted in a rate rise of 6.8 per cent — 1.1 per cent lower than the proposed rate.