Pensioner slugged with extra rate bill
A Willow Grove pensioner believes she will be eventually forced out of her home after receiving a supplementary rates notice indicating her property had increased in value by $40,000.
Barbara Needham, 80, believes Baw Baw Shire Council issued the notice after consideration to a parcel of land on her property.
Barbara said she thought the property had been amended to the one title during Narracan Shire times.
“They’ve been out and rated the property before and the only thing that’s changed is that the tree has grown,” she said. “I’ve been here for over 32 years. “They’ve upped the value by $40,000, but what’s got me is they’ve got me another $2000 for services. “What services do we get? Nothing.” A single aged pensioner, Mrs Needham said the increased bill would put pressure on her finances.
“It makes it hard with everything going up,” she said.
While Barbara believes she is being sent paperwork to dispute the notice, she said it had added stress ahead of Christmas.
“I said that’s nice just before Christmas,” Barbara said.
“I laughed when they told me I wouldn’t have to back pay it. “Value just doesn’t go up by $40,000. “I’ve done nothing to it.” While Barbara has some room on her property, she has previously lent shed space to the CFA to store their excess equipment before the CFA shed received its upgrade.
A spokesperson for Baw Baw Shire Council said Mrs Needham had been sent relevant documentation to make an objection, and had 60 days to do so.
“The mentioned property is one of about 180 properties identified during an audit of all council properties currently being undervalued as they contained multi lots,” the spokesperson said.
“In laymen terms this means that a piece of the property could be sold without the need for subdivision (separate titles), which ultimately makes it more valuable.
“Supplementary valuations happen every month throughout the year for multiple reasons, including buildings constructed, subdivisions, consolidations to name a few.
“This is not a new process for council and is a requirement under the Valuation of Land Act.
“Council also offers payment arrangements and hardship considerations, as has been offered to this resident, if they feel the increase will be of financial detriment.”
The spokesperson said supplementary rate notices also worked in reverse, with some landholders receiving discounts to their rates.
“For example, this week we issued 18 properties a reduction due to our valuer’s inspection indicating that they would be unlikely to get a building permit issued, which reduces their valuation,” the spokesperson said.
“And we also sent 25 new valuations to residents who objected to their previous valuation successfully and were therefore reduced.
“We also routinely issue reduced notices for subdivisions and where demolitions occur.”
The spokesperson said council received 29 objections overall from the last financial year out of a total of 26,000 ratepayers (0.11 per cent).