By Ewen McRae
Thousands of Brimbank residents are facing a steep rates rise this month, with notices sent out warning of increases of up to 15 per cent or more.
While rates across Brimbank are capped at a 2.25 per cent increase overall, some suburbs will experience a greater rise due to 2018 being a revaluation year.
Council’s chief financial strategist Shane Marr said properties are independently revalued every two years.
“If the value of your property increases, relative to other properties in Brimbank, your rates will also increase. If your property values have increased less than the average increase, your rates may decrease,” Mr Marr said.
“This does not mean council collects more money in rates, above the 2.25 per cent rate increase allowable under the rate cap.”
Brimbank council said about 7000 rate payers had been sent an advanced letter warning of a potential rates increase in excess of 15 per cent.
The rates notice is expected to be sent out following the August 21 council meeting.
Ardeer resident Lauren Sayer said the letter came as a surprise.
“We received our letter, and then after speaking with others in the area quickly realised that most people in Ardeer must have got the same one,” Ms Sayer said.
“It was a shock, because we hear from council how hard it is to operate with a rate cap, and then to receive a notice saying your rates could go up by 15 per cent or more seemed a bit hard to believe.
“Recently in Ardeer the local community asked for public toilets at the community park, and that was knocked back, and now we get this rates hike. An under serviced suburb is becoming the cash cow for the council.”
“I can assure you that not everyone in Brimbank has had a 15 per cent wage increase in the past two years, so the cost of living pressures have never been higher.”
Deer Park resident Melinda Meyer also received a letter about the rates hike, and said it would have a profound effect on her family budget.
“I’ve got five children, and I’m the sole income earner, so the 15 per cent increase basically works out to be unaffordable,” she said. “It’s another couple of hundred dollars a year, and that’s got to come from somewhere. I’m not sure where yet.”
