A Hobsons Bay resident’s bid to stop rates increases has failed to gain the support of council.
As reported by Star Weekly, Ranbir Lambra created a petition titled, Stop Hiking Our Rates, in April, believing a rates reduction would help community weather the cost-of-living crisis..
The petition, signed by 143 people, was presented to council on May 14.
Councillors voted to raise rates by an average of 2.75 per cent as part of council’s 2024-25 budget, which was adopted in June.
A response to the petition was presented to the August 13 council meeting, with officers stating that a zero per cent rate rise would impact council’s bottom line.
“The financial impact of a zero per cent rate increase would be an estimated $3.2 million reduction in rate revenue during 2024-25,” the report stated.
“The cumulative impact of not applying the rate increase (in 2024-25 only) is estimated to be a reduction in rate revenue of $35.8 million over the next 10 years.”
Councillor Jonathon Marsden said not increasing rates would severely impact council’s long-term ability to deliver expected services and infrastructure.
He noted that the rate increase was below the rate of inflation.
Councillor Daria Kellander and Diana Grima said they were disappointed a response to the petition wasn’t presented to council before the budget was adopted in June.
Laura Michell
