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发表于 2014-5-31 21:26:56
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本帖最后由 75435 于 2013-2-11 10:13 编辑
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http://maribyrnong-leader.wherei ... city-s-rates-anger/
City's rates anger
MARIBYRNONG ratepayers are charged the fourth-highest rates in Melbourne compared with owners of same-value homes in other areas.
A Leader analysis of 30 Melbourne council budgets found only Wyndham, Melton and Hume residents pay a higher rate.
The discrepancies mean owners of
$500,000
homes in Toorak are charged $546.30, while a
$500,000
home
in Maribyrnong attracts a $1601.12
bill.
Kingsville widow Margaret Urch, whose rates bill is almost $2000, said the situation was appalling.
“I can’t see how the council can justify expecting people to pay that sort of money with the socio-economics of the area,” she said.
“To be putting away $40 a week for rates is a big ask.”
Des Bastin, also of Kingsville, was shocked to be billed $900 more than his friends in Prahran, even though their homes were about the same value.
“I just don’t understand how the council can do that,” he said.
Mr Bastin moved to Kingsville from Ferny Creek to save travel costs, but the savings were “being eaten up in rates”.
Mayor Michelle MacDonald blamed a small rate-paying population, ageing infrastructure and greater service demands than other areas.
The council had to raise the same money as areas with higher property values.
“Whether you live in Toorak or Footscray, concrete costs the same, as do contractors, and employees,” she said.
“Yes a $500,000 property in Toorak may have rates of $546.30, but that $500,000 property may be an apartment or a flat.
“The City of Maribyrnong has a population of 67,825 people, consisting of 27,342 residential and 5,426 commercial/industrial property owners.
“This is a considerably small sized rate paying base by contrast to other municipalities in metropolitan Melbourne (eg. Brimbank has more than 170,000 residents, Boroondara has 160,000 residents, Moreland has 144,015 residents).
“Our small population results from our small civic area - the City of Maribyrnong is the smallest municipality in the Melbourne metropolitan area with 31.2 square km within our city borders. We also have a significantly higher than average number of industrial and commercial use large land parcels than other similar sized municipalities.
“With such a rich and long standing history as one of the first cities in Melbourne, our infrastructure is aging and in constant need of maintenance.
“Our close proximity to the Port of Melbourne, as well as being a main thoroughfare and gateway to the west from the CBD, results in our roads facing constant abuse from vehicle traffic, much of which is truck traffic, with no compensation from other stakeholders or levels of government in tackling repair costs.
“While we believe the community in the City of Maribyrnong to be one of the most active, diverse and participatory in Melbourne, our community faces higher social and health needs than in other municipalities. Council devotes significant resources to some of our community groups who may be marginalised due to homelessness, substance abuse and addiction, mental health issues or language and cultural barriers. The services and programs we offer our community catering to these needs require substantial portions of our annual budget.
“It would be more appropriate for your comparison to apply an average Maribyrnong property value ($392,000) to an average Toorak property value, and then look at their respective rates.
“It is not fair to assume that just because property prices in the City of Maribyrnong are less than in other cities, that the rates are going to be less.”
In July, council finance manager Bryan Stone said there were inequities with the rates system.
He said an income tax would be fairer, but councils had to comply with the property tax rates system.
Monash Council was not compared because it uses a different rates system.
What do you think of Maribyrnong Council’s rates? Tell us below or email maribyrnong@leadernewspapers.com.au |
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