Given the current outrage at the Murdoch press in England and the tactics employed, we thought readers might like to reflect on the following examples from the Moorabbin Leader. Two stories on budgets are featured – one on the Kingston budget and one on Glen Eira. We ask readers to compare and contrast, and to ponder why this might be happening.

Kingston homes in for $64 rise

1 Jun 11 @ 07:00am by Dimity barber

// KINGSTON homeowners are facing a 4.95 per cent rate rise this year, adding $64 to the average bill.

Ratepayers will be slugged an extra 1.09 per cent rubbish charge to cover the State Government’s landfill levy rise from $30 to $44 a tonne.

Roads will be the focus of the $158 million 2011-12 Budget with $10.6 million set aside for them.

The Budget will also pay off the last of Kingston’s $28 million pre-amalgamation debt while more than $32 million will go towards capital works including $620,000 to upgrade Clarinda Library. The council will spend $150,000 to boost its overworked planning department, now processing 1200 permits annually. The city will add another $1.5 million this year to its $7.9 million green wedge development fund.

Chief executive John Nevins said keeping the rate rise below 5 per cent had been a challenge. “We went through every line of the Budget to find savings,” he said. Rates rose by 7.3 per cent in 2010-11.

Mayor Ron Brownlees said Kingston residents would pay less than the Melbourne average.

“We have worked hard to find a balance between rate revenue and service delivery,” Mr Brownlees said. “At the same time we acknowledge the pressures on pensioners at rate time and will continue to offer an $80 rate rebate, which is in addition to the
$193.40 State Government rebate.”

Glen Eira rates pain lessens

27 May 11 @ 07:00am by Jennifer Ling

// // GLEN Eira homeowners will have more in their wallets after a slight reprieve on rates this year.

The council’s draft Budget for 2011-12 shows a 6.5 per cent rise for householders, lifting the average rates bill by $60 a year.

But it’s a smaller hit than last year when residents faced one of the largest rates rises in Melbourne with a 7.44 per cent jump, lifting the average bill by $92. Deputy mayor Jamie Hyams said last year included garbage charges “sprung on council at the last minute by the Government”.

“It is important we are able to provide the services and facilities that people expect from us,” he said.

“These rate rises will keep Glen Eira as the third lowest-rating council of all inner-Melbourne metropolitan councils.”

The Glen Eira Sports and Aquatic Centre will get the lion’s share in the 2011-12 Budget, with $13 million allocated for capital works, staffing, furniture and fittings.

Other major features are $5.5 million for the Duncan Mackinnon Pavilion redevelopment, and infrastructure upgrades including $4.95 million for roads, $3.29 million for drainage and $1.73 million for footpaths.

Residents can have their say on the draft Budget until June 9.