Mount Barker council to vote on rate suspension for fire affected homeowners
Financial reprieve could be on the way for fire affected homeowners in the Adelaide Hills, with Mount Barker District Council expected to vote for a 12-month rates suspension.
Adelaide Hills
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Fire affected homeowners in Harrogate, Brukunga and parts of Mount Torrens could be given a 12-month lifeline on their council rates.
Approximately 20 homes in the Mount Barker council district will benefit from a proposed rates suspension scheme, put forward by councillor Bradley Orr during Monday night’s council meeting.
If approved, homeowners affected by the December 20 Cudlee Creek fire will be eligible for a suspension or rebate on all council rates and service charges, for a period of 12 months from the date of the fire commencing.
A decision on the motion is expected to be tabled during next month’s council meeting.
Cr Orr said while council desperately required Federal and State funding to rebuild public assets such as roads, bridges and buildings damaged by the blazes, charity started first and foremost at home.
“Until the appropriate Federal and State funding arrives, the least we can do, at the local level, is to support our residents immediately in the form of suspending their council rates and providing additional assistance where possible,” he said.
“The amount of donations have been overwhelming but we need to give these people relief over a longer period of time to assist them in getting back on their feet and this motion is a good way towards achieving that.”
Cr Orr said his motion was prompted by a drive through the affected areas following the fires.
“I was walking around Harrogate and Brukunga after the fires and, I didn’t mention anything to residents at the time, but could only think “I hope they won’t get rates notices’, Cr Orr said.
“So that’s where my motivation came from. I didn’t want to burden them even more.
“I know there was some concern by fellow councillors on whether it’ll achieve anything, but in the end, it was unanimously carried and I think the residents of Harrogate, Brukunga and possible parts of Mount Torrens will appreciate it.”
Council chief financial officer Alexander Oulianoff said staff would prepare a report for the March council meeting on the means of support available for affected communities.
“Council to date has provided varying forms of relief to assist our rate payers who have been affected by the Cudlee Creek bushfire and it is acknowledged that continuing support will be required by these communities,” he said.
