By Benjamin Millar
More than 400 Maribyrnong residents reeling from skyrocketing rates bills have launched challenges against their latest property valuations.
Star Weekly last month reported Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay ratepayers coming forward in droves to say their properties had been wildly over-valued, including a 96-year-old Footscray man told his home’s value has than doubled in two years – pushing up his rates bill by $1938 to $3832.
While the average general rate increase is capped at 2.25 per cent across all properties, individual rates fluctuate more broadly in a revaluation year.
Maribyrnong Council has so far received 414 objections since issuing the latest rates notices – more than five times the 73 objections lodged in the previous valuation year.
Maribyrnong councillors were last week confronted by an overflowing public gallery at the monthly ordinary meeting as angry residents called for greater action.
Maribyrnong chief executive Stephen Wall repeatedly deflected blame for the situation, pinning the spike on state government regulations requiring rates to be pegged according to the independent valuations.
But angry ratepayers accused the council of failing to adequately curb expenditure and stand up for residents.
Longstanding Footscray residents were particularly vocal, arguing their rate payments had become untenable due to rezoning that has made the area more attractive to developers.
They argued it was unfair to charge them according to the value their property could attract were their homes levelled to make way for multi-storey apartments.
Footscray homeowner Yvonne Collett said council rezoning her property had doubled her rate bill to $6000.
Another ratepayer said his property had been significantly overvalued and he would happily sell his home for the valued amount, but would be unlikely to gain that sale price on the open market.
Steve said elderly residents should not be forced to sell their homes to pay their rates.
“My property in the two years has gone up 88 per cent in regards to the valuation of the land,” he said.
“I mean that’s ridiculous. Even though these valuations were done independently, it’s not the case… we’re all in the same position here. I’m contesting it.”
Mr Wall conceded the system was not ideal, but said the council’s hands were tied.
He said while 20,000 ratepayers had an increase higher than the rate cap, 16,000 came in below or were even paying less than previously.
Council’s director of corporate services Celia Haddock said the council offers one of the highest pensioner rebates in Victoria and does not charge penalties for late pensioner payments.
“Payment plans and options for residents that are having difficulty paying are also available,” she said.
“Ratepayers experiencing difficulties should contact Council to discuss payment options.”
