A state minister has whacked Brimbank council for spending $130,000 on an art installation without consulting residents.
Local Government Minister and Sydenham MP Natalie Hutchins made an example of the public art sculpture at the Sunshine bus interchange, saying the community “had no buy into it”.
Her comments came as the Labor government appointed an Essential Services Commission (ESC) to advise on a rates capping system for councils.
“These are some of the things we want councils to have a serious look at in how they expend the ratepayers’ budget,” Ms Hutchins said.
“There needs to be more consultation with ratepayers. Councils need to be open and transparent about where their money is going.”
The abstract sculpture near City Place was unveiled last November and is intended to be a meeting place for pedestrians and an attraction for commuters descending the stairs as they leave the railway station.
Ms Hutchins said the inquiry into councils capping their rates at the level of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) would ensure transparency and responsibility when there were rate hikes.
“For the last three years rates have been going up at double the [inflation] rate,” she said.
The Labor state government has said it wants a rates capping system to come into effect for all Victorian councils after the 2016-17 budget. Councils wanting to raise their rates above CPI would have to justify to the ESC why such increases were necessary.
Finance Minister Robin Scott said the ESC’s inquiry would take into account factors that may impact a council’s financial outlook.
“[This] includes population growth, services and infrastructure needs. Our plan means more efficiency and accountability in the way councils increase their rates, as well as greater sustainability in the sector.”
The ESC will talk to councils and government agencies, as well as peak bodies such as the Municipal Association of Victoria, Victorian Local Governance Association and LGPro.
A final framework report will be handed to the finance and local government ministers by October 31. Brimbank council did not reply to questions before deadline.
