Greater Hume Council plans to extend a special variation rate until 2018, translating to a 40 per cent increase over three years for some properties. 

Average residential rates will increase by a cumulative 37.64 per cent and by $198.66 over three years. The Greater Hume residential rate will stand at $2349 compared to $2428 for Albury.

Resident Peter White said more than 70 people attended a community meeting to discuss the rates and have made submissions to council.

“At the moment, we don’t believe it’s fair and equitable,” he said.

“They’ve increased the farmland rate by just over 5 per cent and increased residential rates by almost 13 per cent for the first year.

“We’re paying the bulk of the rates for the Greater Hume Shire and not getting a similar service.”

Mr White said of $9.7 million raised, less than $1 million would go to “urban road” development.

“The bulk of the money will be spent on rural areas and a small proportion in urban areas,” he said.

“Why don’t we compromise and pick a mid-point of 6 per cent for farmland and 11 per cent for residential?

“That might be fairer outcome than the massive increase in residential rates.”

Council general manager Steven Pinnuck said it was difficult to try to match revenue with expenditure in different areas.

“Just because you live in the town doesn’t mean you don’t drive on rural roads within the shire,” he said.

“The best aim of a council is to raise their revenue and invest it where it’s most needed.”

Mr Pinnuck said the high rate rise for Jindera was due to a 10 per cent increase in land valuation, after differential rates were scrapped in 2012.

“There is a need to look at what the impact of the revaluation of rates has done to the rating structure,” he said.

Mr Pinnuck said a decision on changing rates calculation was not likely this year.

“I’m of the view that rather than trying to rush something this year in time for the 2016-2017 year, we’re better to wait for the council elections,” he said.