SERVICES LACKING

Further to Chris Penny’s letter regarding rising rates, I too was amazed to see that rates had gone up yet again with no formal notification.

I live in a rural area and our rates are now in excess of $2000 per annum.

In return for this payment we get absolutely nothing in the way of services.

No sewage, no water, no street lighting, no footpaths, no rubbish collection.

We are paying for the privilege to live in our own home and we are not sure how much longer we can afford to do this when there is no other income other than a superannuation payment which is already stretched to the limit.

We are not entitled to a rates rebate as our combined superannuation exceeds the criteria for a reduction in rates.

Apparently one of us will be able to claim a rebate when one of us dies.

Local bodies should be under Government scrutiny and intervention as they are getting out of control.

Council should not be allowing itself to get into debt to the extent that it has.

The only thing council is good at is gathering revenue from every source possible, and in so doing, is stifling growth and putting ratepayers into personal debt and a reduced quality of life.

It comes as no surprise that it