By Brendan Rees
The Casey ratepayers group have called on Casey Council to consider freezing or reducing rates after identifying possible savings in the draft council budget.
Speaking at the 9 June council meeting, president of the Casey Residents and Ratepayers Association (CRRA) Brendan Browne said while ratepayers acknowledged the measures that council had taken with the current recession – “we say these do not go far enough”.
Mr Browne was one of eight people representing groups across Casey who presented their submissions to council’s administrators in response to the draft budget, which was streamed via video to council’s Facebook page.
“In terms of achieving a rate reduction we say it is very achievable,” Mr Browne said, making particular reference to the loan repayments of Bunjil Place and the $4.25 million arts expenditure program.
“We say, look, we’ve got the opportunity at the moment to take advantage of low interest rates so extending the loan … would not be overly costly,” he said.
According to a CRRA report submitted to council, the borrowings for Bunjil Place were forecast to be $45,989,000 by the end of the financial year – with plans to pay off Bunjil Place over the next 10 years.
“An average rate reduction (significant enough to offset the garbage charge increase in the average) would cost around $5.3 million,” the CRRA report said.
Under the draft budget the borrowings would reduce by $7,479,000, the CRRA says.
Mr Browne also added: “Rates in Casey are about $70 higher than the Victorian average and when we look at incomes and wealth … the standard of living in Casey and incomes are lower than the Victorian average.
“There is a disconnect between rates charged and people’s capacity to pay. One of the reasons for this is that rates are not directly linked to income,” he said.
Victorian Ratepayers president Dean Hurlston echoed the CRRA’s calls for a rates freeze, saying it “whole heartedly” supported their concerns.
“The most important thing they (council) can do right now is not increase rates and ensure that they provide as much assistance as possible under their hardship policy to those who’ve lost their jobs or their livelihoods,” Mr Hurlston said.
“They also need to defer any nonessential projects and spending and just wait one budget cycle to measure the full impact of Covid.”
All administrators thanked the submitters for their presentations noting it was “very helpful for us”.
Administrator Cameron Boardman said the “level of quality and information” in the council officer’s document as well as the public’s submissions would be “very helpful for us to further consider this matter”.
“We look forward to receiving further briefings from council officers and providing an update at subsequent council meetings,” Mr Boardman said.
Administrator Miguel Belmar also praised the “high quality” of presentations which has “given plenty for us to think about”.
“It’s also very pleasing to see the level of community activity over a number of issues,” he said.
A total of 25 submissions were received from the community. Submitters will be advised of council’s consideration of their submission at the 23 June special council meeting.
