Friday 14 November 2014

I'm Concerned Of The Intended Rate Rise By 'Chewing Gum Mayor, Stephen Bali' - In Fact, Reduction In Rates Is Actually Required!

I remember about 1-2 years ago, attending a Blacktown City Council meeting and Councillor Edmond Atalla made such a grand speech about, 'How Labor never place rate rises outside what is required!'  It seem like he was running for the Federal Treasurers job!

It is funny how times change, now he is part of a Labor / Independent decision rates by over 5 per cent!

I've done a little bit of home work, after speaking to a Senior Council Officer today, I was stated the following facts:

The minimum home Council rates are  $1,245.00 per year, the average home Council rates is maximum is $1,395.00 pear year and total approximate household ratepayers are 107,000. So  that means income minimum received is $133,215,000 to an average $149,265,000. Then they collect on rates from businesses.

Ratepayers be aware Blacktown City Council has been in surplus  since at least in 2008 and at least approximately $19M suurplus:

Page 20 - 2012-2013 Blacktown City Annual report! as follows:
Year Total Budget Budget Surplus Variance
2007/08 $273 million $1.596 million 0.58%
2008/09 $284 million $1.287 million 0.45%
2009/10 $294 million $1.78 million 0.4%
2010/11 $309 million $3.399 million 1.11%
2011/12 $341 million $3.497 million 1.03%
2012/13 $358 million $3.888 million 1.08%


So if we are running in surpluses why the rate rise, especially from 2.3% previously recommended to newly recommended 5.3%. In fact our 'Chewing Gum Mayor' and his fellow chewers should look at a reduction of Council Rates as there has been an increase recently approximately of new houses of 6,000 houses and this is growing by each year.

Under Labors 'Hurt the rate payers scheme': new minimum rates would be $1,310.95 per household, per annum. Council would bag in $140,271,650.00 total to an average increase of  $1,469.00, total of $157,183,000.

Rate payers do not deserve this! We hope all Councillors, er their decision.

I feel the increase is to pay for the On-going costs relating to the Mount Druitt Pool, which will probably have low patronage! If the Independent on Council, is a true Independent he would back a rate reduction! 

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1 comment:

Anonymous said...

John, let me share some facts with you. Labor came into administration in September 2014. The rates for 2015 have not yet been determined or even discussed. The massive rate increase you refer to was adopted by the previous Liberal administration and if you did check your facts, you will find that Labor voted against this increase. The Libs used their numbers to pass this massive increase. The issue was well covered in the media. But I guess your blog is not interested in facts, just personal insults!