Rates hurting oldies

Alex de Vos
Surf Coast Shire pensioners are struggling to make ends meet amid “outrageous” rate rises, according to a community group.
Torquay Senior Citizens Centre’s Eileen Coutts demanded council freeze rates to avoid pricing residents out of the shire.
“I’m really struggling with the rate increases – and it’s not just me,” Ms Coutts said.
“It’s got to stop rising.”
Last week the Independent revealed that Surf Coast Shire planned to increase rates more than double forecast inflation next year.
The shire’s business plan showed council was set to hit ratepayers with a six per cent hike in 2010/2011 following a 5.75 per cent rise the following year and further five per cent annual hikes until 2013.
The report noted the Consumer Price Index measure of inflation was expected to rise about three per cent in 2010/2011.
Single pensioners receive $671.90 a fortnight, while couples earn $506.50, according to Centrelink.
Surf Coast Shire has the second highest average rates in the state at $1614.
Ms Coutts said the shire’s rising rates were sucking pensioners dry.
“It’s quite a lot of money to come out of the pension and I find it really hard when the rate bill comes in. The pension isn’t going up as much as the rates – not even close.”
Surf Coast Community and Ratepayers Association’s Spencer said he knew of residents who were being priced out of the shire.
Some were considering selling their family homes to escape rising rates, he said.
“They can’t keep raising rates – it’s going to drive all the old citizens out of Torquay,” Mr Leighton said.
“There are people who have lived here all their lives then they get on the pension and, through no fault of their own, house prices spiral and so do their rates.
“They can’t afford to live in Torquay any more – it’s a tragedy.”
The association has called for the shire to consider cutting services and executive salaries to prevent excessive rate rises.
City of Greater Geelong plans to lift its rates 4.3 per cent next year and 4.6 per cent annually year until 2013.
Borough of Queenscliffe is set to increase its rates by 3.5 per cent. The borough, equal second with Surf Coast for average Victorian rates, has proposed a further 4.5 per cent hike over the next three years.