Geoff has always focused on the things that matter most to local residents – ensuring that Monash Council is not distracted by the mission creep some other councils get carried away with. He has the priorities we share.
Priorities we share…
- Low rates
- Focusing on core council functions, not mission creep
- Protecting our neighbourhoods from inappropriate development
- Transforming Kingsway
- Fighting for rate reform to stop ‘bill shock’ caused by skyrocketing property prices
- A new 800 to 1,200 space FREE car park on Montclair Avenue in the heart of Kingsway
- Backing residents over unfair Council red tape
- A Council working efficiently for us
Posted by Geoff Lake on 3:06 pm in News | 0 comments
When I started as a councillor at Monash Council there were no Council email addresses for councillors…
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Posted by Geoff Lake on 11:25 am in Pensioners, Rate reform, Rates, Seniors | 0 comments
Prior to 2015 Council had no hardship policy. A ratepayer, even if in crippling financial hardship, would be charged oppressive penalty interest rates (which is approximately more than double home loan rates offered by the major banks) on any unpaid rates. Recognising that financial hardship can be experienced by many in our community, Council accepted my proposal to the 28 April 2015 meeting that Council develop a hardship policy. The policy is to be developed based on recent work by the MAV and the Public Interest Law Clearing House...
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Posted by Geoff Lake on 10:50 am in Financial management, Low rates, Pensioners, Priorities, Rate reform, Rates, Record, Seniors | 0 comments
The last time that Council made any significant changes to its rating system was five years ago when it determined to move from rating on the basis of site value (SV) to rating on the basis of capital improved value (CIV). Since that time, residential ratepayers have paid an increasing share of the overall rates burden in favour of business ratepayers because of property valuation changes. This is not fair. I am pleased that Council supported my recommendations to the April 2015 meeting to re-balance the Monash rating system so that the...
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Posted by Geoff Lake on 10:31 am in Low rates, News, Pensioners, Rate reform, Rates, Seniors | 0 comments
After narrowly failing to convince a majority of councillors in the past, I finally succeeded at the April 2015 Council meeting to get Council to introduce a Council-funded pensioner rate rebate of $50.00. The key rationale for proposing the introduction of a pensioner rate rebate of $50.00 is because the level of rate increases in Monash (like other councils) has risen above the cost of living since the mid-1990s. Monash Council has 13,501 eligible pensioner ratepayers which is nearly 20% of total residential ratepayers in Monash. Despite...
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Posted by Geoff Lake on 11:54 am in Core functions, Early years, Financial management, Improving efficiency, Low rates, Priorities, Rates, Record | 0 comments
Family Day Care (FDC) is a government recognised child care option which provides care to children in a carer’s home. Council has operated the Monash Family Day Care service since 1995. The scheme has a strong reputation for its quality service provision, good management and stable utilisation figures. This is reinforced by its solid accreditation assessment record. However, the FDC environment has significantly changed over recent years with a range of alternate providers now operating in Monash or with an expressed interest and...
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Posted by Geoff Lake on 2:33 pm in News | 1 comment
Minister bungles school sites
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Posted by Geoff Lake on 7:37 am in News | 0 comments
A preview of the agenda for the upcoming Council meeting…
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Posted by Geoff Lake on 8:18 pm in Events, News | 8 comments
Inga Peulich disrupts the Clayton Festival…
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Posted by Geoff Lake on 6:46 am in News | 0 comments
A summary of the Council meeting held on 28 January 2014 and the key decisions.
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Posted by Geoff Lake on 9:32 am in Financial management, Improving efficiency, Rates, Record | 0 comments
At our January meeting, Council decided to sell the Elizabeth Gardens and Monash Gardens aged care facilities and the Monash Gardens retirement village to experienced not-for-profit aged care provider, Royal Freemasons. This is a great outcome for the residents and staff at the facilities. After an exhaustive seven month process, Council decided to sell because Royal Freemasons will be able to provide better care and services into the future compared to what Council currently provides. If we did not have confidence that this was so, we would...
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