Seabrook, Altona Meadows and Laverton residential property owners will be hit with double-digit rate rises under Hobsons Bay council’s 2018-19 draft budget released last week.
The three suburbs recorded the highest increases in property values in Hobsons Bay from 2017-18 to 2018-19 in the 2018 biennial revaluation.
Under the draft budget, the council proposes spending nearly $39million on capital works, including $12.7million on buildings, $10.9 million on open space, $7.2million on roads and $2.5million on footpaths and cycle ways.
Budget papers state that while the average general rate increase is 2.25 per cent, in line with the rate cap, rates will “vary considerably” due to revaluation. Some ratepayers will pay more than 2.25 per cent, others will pay less.
Seabrook ratepayers will fork out an average of $260 more in rates – a 20.6 per cent increase – after the suburb’s property values jumped a staggering 50.4 per cent, from $422,355 to $635,234.
Laverton’s property values increased 48.83 per cent, from $333,464 to $496,291, leading to an average rates hike of $200 or 19 per cent.
Altona Meadows ratepayers will pay an average of $226 or 18 per cent more after the average property price rose 47.26 per cent, from $408,072 to $600,920.
South Kingsville, Altona and Williamstown North will be handed the lowest average rate rises in Hobsons Bay at $21, $29 and $42 respectively.
The budget papers state that a “significant increase” of 17 per cent has been applied to waste service charges, which are not subject to the rate cap.
The draft budget is out for public feedback until May 16, with the final budget to be adopted on June 26.
