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NORTHERN RATEPAYERS : RATE REDUCTIONS AXED
Wollongong Councillor Kerrie Christian, a member of the Active Community Team, today said that she was disappointed that Wollongong Council had decided not to give many northern ratepayers a rate reduction as originally indicated. Council has decided to change direction yet again on the rating method for 1995-96.
"It means that residents, especially in the north, who had been led to believe that they were getting rate reductions of up to $100, will now get increases of about $25.00 on last year's rates."
In previous years rates were based on the unimproved capital value of the land, with a minimum charge applying. However the former NSW State Government abolished the minimum rate. Therefore Wollongong Council, along with councils throughout NSW, had to review its rating method.
Wollongong Council proposed to institute a flat charge on all property owners to make up 25% of the rating bill, and the remaining 75% was to be dependent on the unimproved capital value.
In the meantime the new State Government signalled its intention to reintroduce the minimum rate method , ie which would allow councils to continue the old rating method, used up until 1994/95. Wollongong Council then advertised this alternative proposal.
Despite media reports, no final decision was made on the rates until June 19, 1995, when the minimum rate method was chosen, which eliminated any chance of rate reductions for many northern suburbs residents.
Councillor Christian commented that many people were not impressed with this apparent about face by the ALP dominated council, particularly in the light of the $4 million projected budget deficit for 1995-96, and the decision to inject $4 million into the Gateway Shopping Centre."
"It would be fair to say that many residents are cynical about recent media reports by the General Manager about Wollongong Council's financial performance," stated Councillor Christian, who also confirmed that she had not supported the final rating method adopted by Council for 1995-96, nor the injection of $4million into the Gateway Shopping Centre.
Authorised : Cr Kerrie Christian ACT TEAM - 13/7/1995 Contact : ph 671488
Return to Kerrie's Main ACT Web Page
Authorised - Kerrie Christian
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