A Greater Hume councillor has labelled the decision to ignore residents’ proposals for a fairer special variation rate “senseless”.
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Councillors passed rates on Wednesday that will result in a 14 per cent increase for a median vale property in Jindera, compared to a 6 per cent increase in Walla Walla.
Resident Peter White put forward alternate modelling of a 10 to 12 per cent increase for residential, offsetted with an increase in farmland rates by five to seven per cent.
Cr John McInerney said Mr White’s submission was a “very modest” request.
“I think for councillors not to accede his suggestions would be folly,” he said.
Not to accede his suggestions would be folly
- Councillor John McInerney
“This was put out for public comment and we got the comment, now do we ignore it? It’s nonsense.
“Are we the Greater Hume Shire Council or are we the Farmer’s Federation?”
Cr Denise Osborne also expressed strong views against the rise.
“I’ve never had my opposition recorded in almost 30 years but tonight’s the night,” she said.
Mr White said he was disappointed with the decision not to adopt the alternate ratings structure after a lengthy to-and-fro between the council and a group of at least 80 concerned residents.
“When I saw a reduction of $25 for ratepayers, I thought we’d had a win, but in the end, it will be a $75 increase for Jindera, taking into account the $50 rebate on water and sewer,” he said.
“And that’s only one year, so next year the water and sewer is going to go back to either current standards or increase when there’s a $4 million sewer scheme.
“That’s where I couldn’t understand why they would reduce the sewer when you need money in the scheme to fund what’s happening in four years’ time.”
Mr White said the next option was to take a review of the rating structure to a new council at the end of the year.
“I was quite impressed with the number of people who came out to Jindera to support this and it’s quite disappointing the councillors have ignored that,” he said.
“I was happy the mayor supported the proposal tonight but she was out-voted.”
Resident Kathy Anderson, who organised well-attended forums on the issue, said she was fed up.
“There are a lot of people that want to go to Albury now, and they have for some time, because the city will look after us better,” she said.
“We’re not getting the help and we’re not getting the confidence from council and this doesn’t help at all.”
