Rates soar for people with cheaper homes under Murray Bridge Council plan
There is shock over a council plan to cut rates for owners of expensive homes, while those with lower-value properties face huge increases.
SA News
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Murray Bridge residents are seething after the local council proposed to sharply increase rates for cheaper homes, while cutting rates for pricier properties.
The local council is proposing that residential properties valued higher than $650,000 get rate cuts, while those valued between $150,000 and $450,000 face increases.
Houses valued in the middle of the lower range would face the sharpest increases, with owners of homes worth $250,000 set to pay an extra $433 a year.
Retired cook John Slatter, 68, said his rates would rise by at least $300 for the $370,000 two-bedroom unit where he lives with his wife.
“My first pension increase goes to whatever rate rise I pay,” he said. “There’s not much point in the government giving one if the council’s going to take it.
“It’s not fair … those that will benefit are the ones that really don’t need the money.
“I’ve never heard anything like it. I’m amazed that in this day and age that they would try that.”
Murray Bridge Mayor Wayne Thorley said under the council’s present system, lower-value properties were getting a “slight discount” while some higher-value properties were being “overcharged”.
“The aim is to try and bring a bit more fairness in it; if the top end is probably paying a little bit more than it should, and the bottom end is probably paying not quite enough,” he said.
“And people need to remember there are pensioners who live in homes that through no fault of theirs, the property values have gone up excessively, who need to be supported just as much as people in those lower-end homes.
“But the people (who own homes) between $300,000 and $600,000, we are very well aware that some of the increases seem to be excessive, and that’s something the elected body and the staff are working on.”
Mr Thorley stressed the changes were not finalised, as the council was seeking feedback from residents until March 25.
He said the changes would result from the council moving from a minimum rate of $1151 to a fixed charge of $750.
“It’s not a strategy to raise more money; it’s a strategy of trying to look at making sure things are fairer across the whole system,” Mr Thorley said.
Under the proposal, farming land valued at $500,000 would face a rate increase of $150, while rates would be cut for higher-value farming land.
Rates would rise for most vacant land. For vacant land valued at $250,000, rates would increase by $537.
Rates would fall for commercial and industrial properties. Commercial and industrial properties valued at $2m would get a rate cut of about $4500.
The proposed changes were slammed as “disgusting” this week by locals on a Murray Bridge community Facebook page.
Commenters said Murray Bridge Council’s rates were already high and the hikes were “just another burden for the ones that are struggling”.
The Advertiser understands several unhappy residents plan to speak against the proposal at a public council meeting on Monday.
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