‘We listened to you’: Murray Bridge council abandons property rate review
A controversial plan to charge homeowners more, and pass the benefits on to businesses and some farmers, has been defeated.
This story is now free to read. Help Murray Bridge News tell more stories like this by subscribing today.
“In consideration of the community feedback received … it is recommended that council maintain its current rating system.”
With that, Murray Bridge homeowners can breathe a sigh of relief.
A single line of advice in a report, presented at a council meeting on Monday night, spelled the end of a controversial proposal to change the district’s property rates policy – a change which would have benefited businesses and some farmers, but left most residential ratepayers worse off.
The plan had proven deeply unpopular at a public meeting last month, and attracted a huge number of comments during a consultation period.
Of 301 people who gave feedback to the council, 69 per cent were against the proposed change, according to the report by a council staffer.
“The strongest theme throughout responses was that the proposed system is an unfair burden on those who can least afford to pay,” the report said.
The other three most common complaints were:
- The council did not provide enough value for money
- Not enough information, or unclear information, was provided during the consultation process
- People’s rates bills were already too high
In the end, councillors took just 37 seconds to kill the idea.
In fact, there was no debate whatsoever.
Unusually, Cr John DeMichele requested and was granted permission to have the motion be put to a vote straight away, without any discussion.
The decision was unanimous.
Mayor Wayne Thorley suggested the outcome showed that the council’s decision-making processes worked.
“Community out there: we listened to you in this consultation,” he said.
“Our councillors only and always have only been interested in fairness.
“We respect the community, we respect ratepayers, and we certainly are aware of the … cost-of-living challenges which seem to be uncontrollable for many of us.
“I think our actions show this.”
The council was committed to openness, transparency and willingness to listen, he said.
“We will continue on doing our best.”
