Rate rally cry

By CASEY NEILL
YARRA Ranges ratepayers will rally against startling property valuations at a public meeting next Thursday.
On 28 August the Mail reported that residents were slamming increases in the valuations on their rate notices, which went against the market trend.
Monbulk resident John Nieman will convene a meeting on the issue at St George’s Monbulk Church Hall from 7.30pm on Thursday 20 September.
In June Yarra Ranges councillors approved a 5.7 per cent average rate increase in their 2012-’13 budget.
Mr Nieman saw a 31 per cent rise in his rates because of an $110,000 jump in his property value.
“The principal agenda is that many valuations do not reflect the actual sale value of the property,” he said.
“Current sales and independent valuations for other purposes do not reflect the valuers’ assessment.
“If there are rate increases in excess of 20 per cent over two years that’s about twice the CPI in a stable or falling market.”
Mr Nieman said ratepayers had just 60 days from receiving their rates notice to object to the valuation.
“They need to be aware of the time limits on challenging the valuation and how to stop the clock,” he said.
“They also need to be aware of the pitfalls of the challenging process.”
He invited Mayor Graham Warren and relevant council officers to attend the meeting.
The shire is required to re-value properties every two years to determine how it will distribute rate collection around the municipality.
Yarra Ranges Council corporate services director Rebecca McKenzie said qualified valuation contractors carried out valuations.
“The process is overseen by the Valuer-General, and is independent of council,” she said.
“Up-to-date valuations ensure equity in the amount of rates contributed by property owners.”
The capital improved value (CIV) and site value on rate notices received last month will be used for the 2012-’13 and 2013-’14 financial years and are based on property prices at 1 January this year.
In a letter to the Mail Belgrave resident Willy Voss said his rates had jumped more than 20 per cent following a $90,000 increase in his property valuation.
On the Mail’s Facebook page Julie Buxton said her CIV went up $85,000 and her site value increased $60,000.
“And yet in June I got a proper valuation done on my house for insurance and bank purposes and the value had gone down by $100,000,” she said.
The Real Estate Institute of Victoria (REIV) told the Mail there was a two per cent drop in property values across Melbourne between 2010 and 2011, and in most Yarra Ranges towns.
For more information on rates call Yarra Ranges Council on 1300 368 333 or visit www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au.