May 31 2018 Ratepayers hip pockets take a battering On the back of above-inflation cost of living increases imposed by the State Government, ratepayers across the state are now seeing these increases flow through to increases to their local government rates. Shadow Minister for Local Government Tony Krsticevic said it was disappointing that both the State Government and local councils were disregarding the difficulties households were facing when considering the costs imposed on householders. “There is no doubt councils needed to do more to minimise rate increases, rather than just explain away the reasons why they are increasing rates,” Mr Krsticevic said. “Ratepayers don’t want a justification for the rate increases, they want rates relief.” “Councils are obviously not in tune with the difficulties of ratepayers if they’re increasing rates more than inflation. “The rate increases come on top of increases to power and water and the emergency services levy – and for every additional dollar households are having to put towards government charges is a dollar that is not being spent at businesses in the local community.” Mr Krsticevic said rate rises should be kept at inflation and councils needed to justify to ratepayers any increases above inflation, especially during these difficult times. “Many households are noticing the value of their home – and their equity – is either falling or flat lining, but their gross rental value is not changing and their rates are increasing,” Mr Krsticevic said. “Now is not the time for ongoing increases to the cost of living. “We are seeing more households experiencing mortgage stress, more households having difficulty paying their bills and in spite of this, we’re seeing more increases to the cost of living by the State Government and local councils. “When households are being forced to tighten their belts, so should Councils.” Media Contact |
