‘Sea-rise’ rates appealed

Kim Waters
RESIDENTS have lodged appeals against rates hikes on properties deemed at risk of flooding from climate change, Borough of Queenscliffe has revealed.
A borough spokesperson said council had received 18 appeals compared to “considerably fewer” for the last rates hike.
A group opposing the borough’s planning restrictions on properties judged at risk from rising seas said hiking rates on the affected allotments was “unfair”.
Save 600’s Peter Russell believed quite a few residents in the town’s flood-mapped area had appealed their rates increase.
“If the rates had significantly decreased it would have meant council’s restrictions had negatively affected the value of our land but the significant increase is just as bad,” he said.
“Council and State Government can’t tell us our land is worth that much money and make us pay these rates when they’re happy to put huge restrictions on our properties.”