Shire backs budget

By Tania Martin
THE Shire of Yarra Ranges last week defended its 6.9 per cent rate hike, saying both the State and Federal Governments needed to hand over more cash to boost local infrastructure.
It comes after the council’s 2009-10 record $68.5 million capital works budget was approved at a special meeting last Tuesday 30 June.
The rate hike will see families forking out an extra $1.71 per week.
But Ryrie Ward councillor Jeanette McRae said the council wouldn’t have to rely so heavily on rates if both the state and federal governments handed over a bigger slice of tax revenue.
Cr McRae said it was a struggle to make rates both realistic so infrastructure work could be undertaken and as affordable as possible.
She said it didn’t help that there was insufficient funding from both the State and Federal Governments.
Cr McRae said the governments should be handing over some of the money they made from land tax.
“We are struggling to provide services that are just basic … it’s unfortunate we can’t get a bigger share from the government,” she said.
Mayor Len Cox said if the governments shelled out a percentage of income tax or GST councils wouldn’t have to continue to raise the rates so that simple services could be provided to the people.
“We shouldn’t have total reliance on rates,” he said.
A State Government spokesman said funds were provided to councils for certain services under the auspices of the Victorian State and Local Government Agreement. He said there was a major initiative produced as a result of extensive consultation with the local government sector.
“It ensures that local governments are consulted when asked to provide extra services by either the State or Commonwealth Government,” he said.
The spokesman said anyone with suggestions on how to reform the Australian tax system should have already made a submission to the Federal Government’s tax review.
The Mail contacted the Federal Government but was unable to get a response before going to print.
Lyster Ward councillor Samantha Dunn said despite the need for more cash, the 2009-10 budget would go a long way towards bridging the gaps in the council’s services and infrastructure.
The budget was approved last week with one minor change which included the arborist fees remaining at the current level of $80 for the first tree inspections and $50 for subsequent trees.
Cr Dunn said it was important for the council to do as much as they could to make sure residents did the right thing and got their trees inspected regularly.