Shire offers rates help

Alex de Vos
Surf Coast Shire has urged residents struggling to pay their rates to contact council for help.
Corporate services director Stephen Wall said it was “important” council heard from anyone having difficulties so the shire could discuss alternative payment options.
The shire would handle any pleas for help “confidentially”, Mr Wall said.
He advised that low-income earners and eligible concession-card holders could apply for council’s rate assistance policy.
Government concessions were also available for primary producers and senior citizens, he said.
“Information on assistance options is supplied with rate notices,” Mr Wall said.
The shire’s call for struggling ratepayers to seek help followed a story in the Independent last month about pensioners battling with what they called “outrageous” rate rises.
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 told the Independent.
“It’s got to stop rising.”
Earlier this month the Independent revealed that the shire’s planned to increase rates at more than double inflation next year.
The shire’s business plan showed council was set to hit ratepayers with a six per cent hike in 2010/2011, 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.
But Mr Wall said the shire’s proposed rate hikes were “indicative only”.
“Rate movements are set as part of the development of each year’s annual budget,” he said.
Earlier this year the Independent revealed Surf Coast Shire had tied with Borough of Queenscliffe for the second highest average rates in Victoria.