THE average Brimbank homeowner can expect a rates bill of $1280 after Brimbank council adopted its 2013-14 budget last Tuesday night.
That’s a 6.8 per cent increase based on the average Brimbank residential property value of $352,000.
Chairman John Watson said the average Brimbank rates bill, including the municipal and environmental charges, was less than the state average.
But in a submission to council, one resident said rate increases were consistently too high.
“[My] main concern is the consistent application of rates way above the CPI,” ratepayer Robert Evangelio said. “Rather than continually raising rates, look at council’s own productivity/employee benefits.”
Another resident, Kelvin Bennett, agreed. “Rate increases are getting close to the upper limits. [I’m] concerned with the increase in staff costs,” he said.
The council received five submissions to the budget, including two presented in person, which highlighted the lack of an increase to the pensioner rates rebate, the need for a disability parking officer to address widespread illegal parking and a lack of action on the Keilor village vision document.
But the council’s corporate services director, Doris Cunningham, said no changes were made to the proposed budget.
“Council is confident the work undertaken in the lead-up to the development of the draft budget accurately gauged the community’s needs and wants,” she said.
“Additional funding [$224,300 from the federal government] has been allocated for the construction of a new roundabout at Alfrieda Street/Conrad Street, St Albans.”
Raising $123 million through rates and charges, the council will commit $45 million to capital works, including $17.75 million on road works, $5.2 million on sports facilities and $3 million on playgrounds, parks and gardens.
This year’s rates bill, to be sent out in August, will also include the state government’s new fire services levy.
