Following the adoption of the Council budget for 2016/17 last month, rates notices will be arriving in letterboxes in the coming weeks. I know receiving a bill for such a significant amount is never appreciated, but there are a few things worth reflecting upon when you open your notice.
1. Monash rates are the lowest in the state
My single biggest focus since being elected to Council 16 years ago has been keeping rates as low as possible. A few years ago we achieved my goal of having the lowest average rates in the state – out of all 79 councils. I am committed to ensuring we stay there. As you can see from the graph, the average rates bill in Victoria is $400 higher than in Monash.
2. This is the lowest rate increase in 20 years
This year’s rate increase at 2.5% is the lowest in Monash for almost 20 years. We are also forecasting rate increases of no more than this amount in the coming four years as well.
3. This Council has made tough decisions to cut costs
Most councils avoid making tough decisions. Not this one. In 2014, Council decided to close two aged care facilities which were costing the community more than $1.5 million each year to run but only providing care to about 160 residents. We sold these centres to a leading not for profit provider and now this $1.5 million is being spent for the benefit of all Monash residents and the residents at these centres are receiving an improved level of service from an experienced aged care provider. It has been a win-win situation.
4. While rates are increasing 2.5%, each property will be affected differently
While Council will collect only 2.5% more in rates in 2016/17 from last year, just a word of warning – your rates bill is almost certainly not going to change by exactly this amount. This is because there has been a revaluation of all properties since last year and this changes how rates are apportioned between properties. This means that properties which have increased in value by more than the average will unfortunately receive a rate increase of more than 2.5% while properties which have increased by less than the average will have a rate increase of less than 2.5% (or even a reduction). Importantly, Council does not receive a windfall from a revaluation and that under state legislation there is unfortunately nothing we can do to soften the impact of rate fluctuations.
5. Monash Council is debt-free
When I was first elected to Council it had $10 million in debt. I am pleased that this Council has recently paid back all of these borrowings and Moansh Council is debt free for the first time since its formation. This places our community in a very strong position to meet the challenges ahead in an uncertain global economy.
6. Council has reduced its workforce
In 2012, Council employed xx full time officers. We now employ xx. This means that we can invest more in renewing our local infrastructure like improving sporting facilities and improving footpaths.
Finally, with the federal election a distant memory, I would like to congratulate the two new federal members of Parliament who will represent the Monash area – Julian Hill (Bruce) and Julia Banks (Chisholm). They have big shoes to fill replacing Anna Burke and Allan Griffin who retired at this election and we look forward to working with them along with the other two federal members in Monash who were re-elected – Clare O’Neil (Hotham) and Kelly O’Dwyer (Higgins).
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