AN elderly Lilydale couple is fighting Yarra Ranges Council after their rates bill almost doubled due to council upping the value of their house by almost $800,000 in a year.
Pensioners Sonja and Arnaldo Venieri were shocked to get a $6028 rates bill this year, almost double last year's bill of $3876 .
Comment
Rates are based on property values not on the service it provides the individual. If two people in in a large expensive house do they get more services from the Shire than two living in a small unit?
We should look at ways that share the cost of running the Shire more evenly, a more "user pay" approach.
I would suggest something like the way the new FSL will be levied, a fixed amount per property and then a percentage of the property value. The fixed amount acts as the equalizer in this equation. Food for thought!
Mario Galteri
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