FOR THOSE who believe the latest rate rise (for me personally it was not 2.5 per cent but seven per cent) is the straw that broke the camel’s back and I would like to simplify this reasoning.
The first straw is the Federal Government which taxes your income, adds GST to almost all goods and excise to every litre of fuel you purchase.
The next straw is State Governments that tax you with stamp duty, utility costs and constant increases, such as vehicle licence fees for your car, truck or trailer.
Now this rate increase.
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Whether it be 2.5 per cent or 10 per cent may not seem a lot to those on the gravy train to whom it may just be petty cash but it does mean a hell of a lot to those on low and fixed incomes and that was the overwhelming sentiment at the last council community meeting.
I commend councillors and the administration for running these forums for the community to have their voice heard.
If at times views are more of a personal nature it needs to be understood that this is the only public way we can do it.
Sadly at a Federal and State level we only have an opportunity every three or four years at election time, and even then, with a change of government, what really changes?
My suggestion to those sitting councillors who voted for these rate rises is to consider reversing your decision.
You have a history for being able to do this when a person puts forward their case, so why can’t you do the same for the many ratepayers who petitioned you to not increase rates?
If for some reason the ‘system’ can’t allow this, then make a commitment to reduce rates next year by the same amount as this year’s increase.
Ultimately history will judge us all – those who spoke up and stood up when it mattered.
Perhaps now is the time for councillors to do this and to instruct the administration to sharpen their pencils and work within a reasonable budget compromise that gives ratepayers some feeling that their objections and their voices are being heard.
Gary Nelmes
Julimar
