RATEPAYERS face a 4.25 per cent hike in rates in 2015-16 as part of Kingston Council’s draft budget released last week.
Council described the rate rise as “modest” but increased its pensioner rebate from $80 to $100 “to help reduce the impact on pensioners”.
Rates income for 2015-16 is estimated at about $197 million and $52.2 million will be spent on community infrastructure works.
Major projects to be funded by ratepayers include the construction of a new Mordialloc Life Saving Club ($3.2 million), the completion of a portion of the Bay Trail share pedestrian and bike path ($600,000) and a new Westall Community Hub ($4.3 million).
Millions of dollars will also be invested in new and expanded family and children’s services hubs throughout Kingston.
“Council has worked hard to find savings right across our operations so that we can deliver to the community and keep rates low,” Kingston mayor Cr Geoff Gledhill said.
The rates rise of 4.25 per cent is well above the current inflation rate of 2.3 per cent but Kingston Council has resisted the temptation of a last-minute “revenue grab” before the state government’s rate capping policy is due to come into force in 2016-17.
The Labor government plans to cap future Victorian councils’ rate rises to the rate of inflation.
Councils will be able to apply to the Essential Services Commission to ask for higher rate rises to fund infrastructure projects but there is no guarantee the ESC will approve such requests.
Councillors unanimously approved the draft budget at last Monday’s council meeting and are now keen to hear from ratepayers before the budget is finalised at a special council meeting on Tuesday 9 June.
“The consultation process is important,” Cr Paul Peulich said at the meeting.
“We want to hear feedback from the community with regards to the proposed budget.”
This year’s 4.25 per cent rates rise follows a 4.25 per cent rise in 2014-15 and 4.95 per cent jump in 2013-14.
A public information session on the draft budget will be held on Wednesday 6 May at 6pm at council’s Cheltenham offices at 1230 Nepean Highway.
A copy of the draft budget is available at kingston.vic.gov.au or at council’s customer services centre and libraries.
Written submissions on the draft budget can be emailed to info@kingston.vic.gov.au or sent to Bernard Byrden, Manager Finance, Kingston City Council, PO Box 1000, Mentone, 3194.
The deadline for submissions is 5pm on Wednesday 27 May.
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 6 May 2015
