This is a good article and it might just wake up a few people as I do feel that people tend to leave things to others and the Council assume everyone is happy with their rates - ARE YOU? Are you happy they just keep continually rising every year?
Local Governments across the State will soon start developing their budgets for the new financial year - YES DID YOU KNOW THAT??
They should be doing their strategic plan developed in consultation with their community - HAVE YOU EVER BEEN INVOLVED?
It is the expenditure adjustments needed to deliver those strategic plans that will determine the additional income required from fees and charges, grants and rates. WHAT ABOUT CAMBRIDGE NO RATE RISES FOR TWO YEARS !!
Consequently if the community wants to make a contribution to the discussion it needs to actively participate in the consultation process. LOVED THE FACT THAT THIS ARTICLE WAS IN THIS MORNING'S PAPER MAY ACTUALLY BE SEEN.
Unfortunately many ratepayers fail to take up the opportunity to contribute in the planning stages which leaves Councils in the unenviable position of having to presume community priorities. I JUST DONT BELIEVE ENOUGH PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT IT
If you think its easy for the Council to strike a balance between value and delivery of the myriad of services and facilities, especially if there is a paucity of community input.
COUNCILS NEED TO SERIOUSLY STOP PUSHING THEIR OWN AGENDA'S AND THINK ABOUT THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE
In effect, Council rates will increase in line with the additional demands made on the budget, both through providing new or additional services and costs increases for existing services.
For example, on maintain existing services, Councils equally susceptible as households to changes in government utilities such as the significant increases to power charges in recent years - THATS THE LEAST OF THEIR WORRIES.
There are two key factors in how much rates you pay - these are what the Council needs to budget and the share you pay based on the rental value of your home compared to the rest of your community. ALL COUNCILS NEED TO CUT FUNDING TO SPORTING CLUBS THEY NEED TO FUND THEMSELVES MAKE THEM FUND RAISE AND JOIN TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY GROUP
If your home has greater potential rental return than your neighbours, you will pay a higher share of the total rates income required by the Council. And if you make improvements to your property that increase its potential rental value faster than others in your area, then your share of rates to pay will increase. DONT MAKE IMPROVEMENTS - you get stung in all directions just not fair.
The confusion that rates increase with rising house prices across the board is a consequence of the economic conditions that often accompany a property boom. THE TROUBLE IS THEY DONT GO DOWN EVEN WHEN THE RENTALS GO DOWN BECAUSE COUNCILS CHANGE THE RATE THEY CHARGE
In that the general increase in all costs and salaries that emerge during a boom add to the total budget required by Councils to maintain services. CUT STAFF NUMBERS
For many to understand how Council rates are calculated requires having to forget what they believed previously. THE SYSTEM SHOULD BE CHANGED AS ITS NOT A FAIR SYSTEM.
It is a similar scenario for many who actually decide to participate in the community for the first time. Often they are surprised at the degree to which they can contribute to the discussion and how much Council value their participation. PLEASE TRY TO GO !!
Seriously as a Community/ratepayer you should be having a serious think about it all. Have your say you never know you might be able to suggest a way for the Council's to actually save money - who knows. Cambridge has cut its budget and has not had a rate rise for two years - whys that I wonder??
MAKE YOUR OWN DECISIONS AND GIVE IT A REAL GO!!
SELLING MOSMAN PARK & THE WESTERN SUBURBS!!
KEEPING IT REAL IS OUR MOTTO!!
No comments:
Post a Comment