City rate cheat

Hamish Heard
City of Greater Geelong’s use of “shonky” private building surveyors has cheated ratepayers out of millions of dollars in rates revenue, according to a council source.
The source yesterday told the Independent the City had appointed an officer to investigate properties that had received building permits through private surveyors who had then failed to notify council when the works were complete
“We’re talking, potentially, tens of millions of dollars in lost rates revenue,” the source said.
“Buildings are being completed and people or businesses move in but the private building surveyors don’t complete a certificate of occupancy, so the occupier gets away with not paying rates on the building.”
Councillor Jan Farrell, who holds council’s governance portfolio, admitted the problem but would not comment on how much it was costing ratepayers.
Cr Farrell said the City had “an issue with regard to some private building surveyors and their obligation to advise council of the completion of new works”.
She said it was a “statewide problem” and the City had lodged a motion with Municipal Association of Victoria to consider the issue at a meeting next week.
Cr Barbara Abley said some private surveyors’ “shonky practices” led to approval of buildings failing to comply with the City’s disabled access requirements or federal discrimination laws. Cr Abley sits on a council committee to promote public access for people with disabilities.
“The failure to adhere to regulations concerning disabled access and provision of disabled facilities like toilets is illegal and further exacerbates the frustrations experienced on a daily basis by a growing number of our constituents,” she said.
“Council officers, on investigating potential breaches by private building surveyors, have found in most cases that venues or buildings are completed and open to the general public yet they do not comply.”