Ratepayers slam hike

Alex de Vos
Residents have slammed Surf Coast Shire’s plan to increase rates 5.75 per cent to help pay for an “outrageous” $40 million civic centre.
Surf Coast Shire Community and Ratepayers Association’s Lyn Smith labelled the rate hike, almost double predicted inflation, as “shocking”.
The shire plans to build new offices in the civic precinct at the northern entrance to Torquay. Councillor and economist Joe Remenyi has estimated the total cost of the precinct could reach $80 million.
“I feel we’re a small community and we just can’t afford luxuries like the civic centre,” Ms Smith said.
“The shire is so far behind in infrastructure and all their money is funnelled toward the civic precinct.
“It’s outrageous when there are so many community infrastructure projects missing from the budget.”
Ms Smith said she was furious council had dumped plans for a new toilet block in Gilbert Road and ignored ratepayers’ calls to upgrade Torquay footpaths.
“The toilet block is desperately needed but it’s not in the budget and there’s nothing in the budget to cover the footpaths we need,” Ms Smith said.
“This is what is so wrong about it – they leave out things that should be done for residents but all you see is civic centre, civic centre, civic centre.”
Surf Coast Shire’s draft budget also proposed a $25 increase to the shire’s “municipal charge” on top of the rates hike. Most of the municipal charge rise would go to “environmental management and addressing the affects of climate change”, the shire said.
“I think it’s a load of rubbish,” Ms Smith said.
“The shire has taken on two new staff and I think the extra charge might cover that extra expense.”
Surf Coast Shire planned to borrow $8.8 million for a $27 million capital works program, finishing the year with a $4.5 million surplus and debt of $11.2 million.
Mayor Libby Mears said the budget provided significant boosts for community facilities and essential infrastructure, including a proposed community and civic precinct project.
City of Greater Geelong has proposed a 4.9 per cent rates rise and Borough of Queenscliffe wants a 3.5 per cent increase.