Angry Ratepayers at Phillip Island unite.

 "Too many activities, too much administration, too much borrowing – too high Rates,

Local Government must be reined in “says Ratepayers Victoria President Jack Davis.J.P.

A crowd of more than about 400 angry ratepayers last Saturday Night came from far and wide to a meeting convened by the  Phillip Island Review Committee at the local Recreation Centre.

The continuing escalation of rates is of serious concerns.

Those attending included young couples who had hoped to purchase their own homes, farmers rated on their means of income, as well as people on fixed incomes and Pensioners, has created inequities to Ratepayers.

Former Monash Councillor and now President of Ratepayers Victoria said “It is disturbing that people on very low or fixed incomes, in the sensitive years of their lives are being penalised for staying in their own neighbourhoods."

"With high unfordable Rates people are hurting" he said "and it will get worse."  Our Association predicts a horror scenario within the next  5 years .

President of Ratepayers Victoria, Jack Davis said, "Ratepayers across the State are concerned with the escalation of administration costs and proliferation of activities being shifted across from State Government. The area of Health is just one issue being pushed as a huge responsibility to local government. A whole level of our society is being burdened beyond its capability,'" he said.

"Borrowing for infrastructure including luxurious corporate centres is creating a growing debt impacting on rate levels. The level of senior staff remuneration is an area causing anger particularly in light of growing ratepayer hardship.

With the current revaluation Councils are now indexing charges. There is already widespread anxiety amongst  ratepayers. The  $114million "black hole" shortfall for superannuation created a deep anger - this given as the reason for massive rate hikes in many municipalities.

 Ratepayers are exploring the possibility of a large scale protest whereby they will refuse to pay their rates until they get the proportion of their rates coming back to the island.

 Of concern to Ratepayers on the island is that most of the Bass Coast Councillors do not live on the Island and they are hopelessly out numbered at Council meetings.

 Bass Coast Rates officer’s at the meeting assured ratepayers that the Rates were calculated in line with government guide lines, If Ratepayers were not satisfied with council’s evaluation’s they could appeal to Victorian Community Arbitration Tribunal (VCAT) who will arbitrate in line with Government guide lines. (sounds like the dog chasing its tail) 

 Ratepayers want independent mechanisms to be directly available when serious disagreements occur between ratepayers and council.

 Amalgamation has not worked on Phillip Island Bass Coast Council is 40 Klms from the island

They want and are entitled to control their own destiny

 Jack Davis J.P

Immediate Past President

Monash Ratepayers