EAST COAST RATE RISES Meagre services, massive rates
I AM writing about the abnormal rate increases in the Glamorgan Spring Bay community. I have lived here for 18 years, hoping to finish my days in a place that meant a lot to my late wife and I. The way it was, it was a pleasure to be part of a community that was consistent with a pleasurable retirement.
This year I received an updated rates notice via email. And boy, did my stress level peak. Comparing it to last year it has gone up a whopping $557.82.
I am a pensioner in my mid 70s who lives some 18km outside of Triabunna and receives nothing more than a bin collection. It has taken me 2½ years to get the road from the highway to my home graded to a suitable state. It has been so bad over that time that I have informed my motorcycle insurance company regarding my fears of accessing the highway on a road that was nothing more than a goat track for the past two years.
While I receive a waste collection, it is an 8km trip to take my bins to a collection point. I have asked for assistance as my age and current health problem makes this a difficult proposition. This was refused.
This increase sounds quite extortionate, just over half of a fortnightly slug to my state pension. I don’t know how this will affect me with another two years of rises proposed.
It seems the council is running while insolvent. Why else would they need such a major cash injection.
If this was a private company I’m sure it would be put into administration or declared bankrupt. I implore the relevant people to put our Glamorgan Spring Bay Council into administration, because it appears elected members are not acting in the ratepayers’ interest and, let’s make no bones about it, that’s why they are elected.
Clive R. Parr Little Swanport
FLAT RATE WAS FAIRER
THE general manager is quoted as stating the assessed annual value (AAV) rates model was fairer and more equitable than the previous flat rate model (Mercury, July 17). Many councils quote 86A (1) in the Local Government Act (LGA) as their reason for charging rates accordingly. 86A states a rate is a tax, not a fee for services. It states the value of your property is an “indicator” you can pay more. The word indicator indicates it is a guess, not an exact science.
Our rates have become a wealth tax with the nonsense notion that if your property is a bit more expensive (hence a likely higher AAV), you can afford to pay a bit more. (One way to accumulate wealth is to live in lower priced property and invest elsewhere).
Councils do not seem to quote 86A (2) which gives it the right to calculate and charge rates differently. Whilst a tax, the council uses these funds to provide services. As homeowners receive the same services, the flat rate model
was fair and equitable. Next time you vote, remember the councillors decided to change the rules. PS, Checking Mayor Robert Young’s statement about how cheap our rates are, I was surprised to find that if I lived in Kingborough, using the same adjusted valuation, my general rate would be $200 lower and my total rates bill would be about $175 lower!
Leen Bakker
Triabunna
A COUNCIL GONE ROGUE
THE council ought to be ashamed at the outrageous hike in rates — many in the order of 85 per cent. While financial expenditures incurred by the council are consistently and systematically rendered opaque it cannot offer ratepayers a legitimate explanation for this blatant cash grab. After the debacle of toxic dysfunction this regime has brought to our East Coast, there is no public trust left, only visceral anger. They’ve gone rogue, think they can act with impunity and have no legitimacy in the eyes of the ratepaying public. The minister must order a comprehensive board of inquiry into this outrageous rate hike.
Yon Kikkert Dolphin Sands
REVIEW FINANCES
FURTHER to Robyn Moore (“Time to investigate Glamorgan Spring Bay,” Letters, July 19), I feel most reasonable people would support a modest increase if we could in fact trust the council to properly administer our finances.
However, the council has not been entirely transparent in relation to the funding of future works, and clearly is getting a bit muddled over which capital works projects will be funded by grants or taxpayers. Investigations have been conducted at the Glenorchy City Council and Huon Valley Council in the recent past for similar reasons.
We, the ratepayers, have lost confidence in our council to properly govern, and request an independent financial review. My message to the relevant ministers is to do your job.
Celia Ralston
Swansea
RATES JUMP
BRAVO Robyn Moore, spot on with your questions and call for an investigation of Glamorgan Spring Bay Council (Letters, July 19). I have a question also. How much extra does it cost the council to provide services to a $600,000plus property versus a $400,000 or less property? I hasten to add that our house is our principal residence and we do not gain any income from it whatsoever, but our rates have jumped by more than $440. The lack of proper consultation with ratepayers unduly affected by this change of formula for establishing our rates is appalling.
Len Evans
Swansea