PS: no surprise that ratepayers have to find out from the media rather than council that Glen Eira is seeking to increase rates more than the government’s imposed rate-capping. Another example we maintain of ignoring and disregarding residents.
The list of councils (taken from above article) is:
The councils which have applied for a higher rate cap are:
- Bass Coast Shire Council
- Buloke Shire Council
- City of Ballarat
- City of Casey
- City of Darebin
- City of Greater Geelong
- City of Melbourne
- Glen Eira City Council
- Hepburn Shire Council
- Hindmarsh Shire Council
- Horsham Rural City Council
- Latrobe City Council
- Maribyrnong City Council
- Mitchell Shire Council
- Moorabool Shire Council
- Murrindindi Shire Council
- Pyrenees Shire Council
- Yarra City Council
- Yarriambiack Shire Council
- Wyndham City Council
PPS: we’ve uploaded the ESC Media Release (here). Glen Eira’s submission should make for fascinating reading – especially the response to the criterion regarding the “views of ratepayers”!!!!!
The Labor Government has introduced legislation to impose ‘rate capping’ on Councils. If Councils seek to impose a rate increase above what is specified they have to submit their case to the Essential Services Commission (ESC). Any such appeals had to be in to the ESC by January 31st, 2016.
In Glen Eira there have been rate increases of 6.5% (except for one year of 6%) for at least the past 8 years – well above CPI. Plus of course countless increased charges for kindergartens, rubbish collections, etc. We anticipate that given Glen Eira still has a huge loan repayment outstanding, plus further payments on Superannuation of several million, they will have applied, or will be applying, to the ESC for permission to keep increasing our rates. Of course, council has kept mum and not a word has been published regarding their intention on this issue. This contrasts with the Stonnington council’s statement that it will not seek such permission – see article presented below. It would be nice for once, if Council was upfront with its residents, instead of its usual practice of silence so that residents are always the last to know!
Glen Eira Debates 
February 2, 2016 at 5:07 PM
You gotta wonder just what Councillors think is good representation ’cause they certainly don’t practice it.
In a move similar to the zone implementation,
. the Administration has made a submission to the Government requesting an above the CPI rate increase,
. without the submission (presentation or content) having been discussed at an open Council Meeting, and
. without any consultation with those (ratepayers) that have borne the cost of the submission and will also bear the costs of rate higher increases..
This ain’t good representation.
What increase % seeking and how have they justified it.
February 2, 2016 at 6:26 PM
No way are they going to settle for less than what they’ve scrounged from residents before. I could save them megabucks by sacking the planning department head honchos and the rest of the useless directors. Next would be stopping all the contracts to their mates and for once getting the best quotes for some jobs.
February 2, 2016 at 8:29 PM
Let’s hope the government does a proper audit of the profligacy here. If they do there is no way the council will be given the green light to this proposal.
February 2, 2016 at 9:41 PM
Several capital city councils in USA have gone bankrupt trying to finance defined benefit retirement schemes, There was no money for fixing roads and pipes etc. The poor old ratepayer gets slugged for as long as these past fat cats stay alive. They are in clover.