Rate rage: Alexandrina farmers left fuming over exorbitant 8.3 per cent rate rise

They’ve battled drought, bushfires and floods. Now Hills farmers have a new challenge on their hands as a local council seeks to inflate rates by over 8 per cent.

Farmers in districts across the state are bracing for massive council rate hikes as they emerge from five years of drought.

Alexandrina Council is planning to hit farmers with an 8.3 per cent rate hike – adding an extra $188 a year to the average bill.

The rate hike is 5.6 per cent more than what has been proposed for the district’s residential ratepayers.

The change would affect 3028 primary producers, taking the average rates bill up from $2266 to $2454.

The increase is the first in a series of rate hikes expected to be announced over the coming weeks and follows a mass evaluation of residential, commercial and primary production properties by the Valuer-General’s office.

The review, first announced in 2017, is the first property reappraisal for selected council areas in more than 20 years.

Strathalbyn cattle farmer Peter Manuel, centre, with fellow farmers Brian Neville, Lindsay Gibson, Norm Goodall, Luke Manuel and Wally, 6 months, have been left angered by their council’s 8.3 per cent rate hike. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Rural electorates reassessed include Light, Alexandrina, Yankalilla, Kangaroo Island, Victor Harbor, Barossa, Playford, Onkaparinga, Gawler and Mt Barker.

Across Alexandrina, farmers have been left in a state of disbelief following the announcement.

This includes Strathalbyn farmers Peter Manuel and Brian Neville who believe the increase showed a disconnect between bureaucrats and farmers.

“We’ve got no mains water, no mains sewerage and some of us have to take our own rubbish waste bins a few kilometres down to a central point, so what do we really get for our rates?” Mr Manuel said.

“This increase is absolutely ridiculous and it’s time bureaucrats remember that it’s mum-and-dad-farmers who keep our local communities going.

“We have to put up with fire, floods, droughts and draconian government laws. We’re getting hammered left, right and centre but when will it stop?”

Mr Neville, who farms cattle and sheep, said while $190 did not sound like much to some, farmers often had to count every dollar.

“These rates mean that we’ll have to tighten the belt on other things,” he said.

“We’ll still have to go out and buy food but other things will have to go by the wayside, even things like being able to go into a cafe and having something to eat and a drink.

“So obviously this won’t just impact us, but all the small businesses in the towns we live in.”

Strathalbyn cattle farmer Peter Manuel, right, with fellow farmers Brian Neville, Lindsay Gibson, Norm Goodall, Luke Manuel and Wally, 6 months. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Farmer and former member of parliament Robert Brokenshire said he anticipated a farming revolt unless councils started working with farmers, rather than against.

He urged farmers across SA to request a copy of their council’s draft budget, many of which are yet to be released.

“It’s my understanding that Alexandrina is the first to release their increases (following property revaluations) but there’s no doubt that other council’s will follow, there are other increases to come,” he said.

“We’ve had a tough 10 years and we’ve had a very dry start to the season and our input cost has gone up with fertiliser and seed.

“So the councils need to understand that they can’t just put the rates up for the farming sector or there will be a revolt across the state.”

Livestock SA chief executive officer Andrew Curtis, asked the public to support local farmers.

“People still have real memories of the last few years and how tough it’s been … but one of the good things that has come out of Covid is that more people have been supporting local and realise where their food comes from,” he said

“We appreciate the increased support and urge people to maintain that as there could be more tough years to come.”

Alexandrina Mayor Keith Parks said he was sympathetic to farmers and urged those impacted to submit a written reply on the Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget.

He also urged property owners not in agreement with their land evaluation to contact the relevant State Government department.

“Council will not be able to collect any extra money as a result … but what is happening is that the primary production area will be subsidising residential,” he said.

“The imbalance in the valuation caused a redistribution of the (council) debt and rates (collected) in various parts of the community.

“That’s unfortunate, as it should be done on a level playing field, land valuations should happen to everyone at the same time.”