Increase more than double forecast inflation – again: Rates, charges hiked

ERIN PEARSON
Surf Coast rates will rise at more than double the rate of inflation in the next financial year, according to council’s 2011/2012 budget.
Rates would rise 6.3 per cent compared to a budget forecast of a 2.8 per cent increase in the Consumer Price Index measure of inflation, the budget said.
Council’s garbage and “municipal” charges would also increase to a combined total of $482 on top of rates.
Councillors were set to adopt the budget on Wednesday night after the Independent went to press.
Cr Ron Humphrey blamed the rates hike on “unforeseen” costs.
“I’ve always been critical of council not sticking to its long-term financial plan and they adopted a plan to set the rate increase at five per cent. I’m disappointed council couldn’t meet that target but there’s a valid reason why it didn’t,” he said.
“Advice given to me by council is that the super funds scheme was unbudgeted and superannuation will now cost the shire extra in the order of $400,000.”
Surf Coast’s rates hike will be the highest in the region, with Borough of Queenscliff’s increase at 4.5 per cent and City of Greater Geelong adopting a 4.9 per cent rise.
Cr Humphrey said he would investigate developing an assistance plan to help Surf Coast’s pensioners.
“Pensioners need some sort of assistance,” he said.
“Not everyone here is rich. Some are finding it very hard to survive, so this council needs a bit more compassion for these people.”
Council scrapped a hardship fund in favour of a rates assistance policy five years ago.
The budget foreshadowed spending $1.23 million on Torquay Football Club, $300,000 on a Bells Beach master plan, $105,000 on an Anglesea Men’s Shed and $959,000 on Lorne drainage works.
Anglesea and Airey’s Inlet Senior Citizen’s spokesman Stan Stott said Surf Coast seniors were coping with rate rises “remarkably well”.
He urged council to “spend the money wisely.”
“There have been a few comments that electricity bills are up a bit but I think seniors seem to be quite able to cope with an increase,” he said.
“Some people will certainly find it hard, though.”
The budget will go on exhibition until late June.