Rate hike refusal is a relief to retirees

With so many self-funded retirees in the area, no one would have welcomed a 6.08 per cent increase in rates this year, or next.

IT’S A shame Ballina ratepayers will have to do without ‘extra services’, but I am sure there are a lot of retirees who are breathing a sigh of relief today on hearing Ballina Shire Council’s application for a rate increase above the pegging limit was knocked back by the NSW Department of Local Government.

With so many self-funded retirees in the area, no one would have welcomed a 6.08 per cent increase in rates this year, or next.

Self-funded retirees have been doing it really tough lately, and to have to fork out more money for rates would have been crippling for some.

The council has to consider the ability of its ratepayers to meet such an increase. In tough economic times you have to bite the bullet, and the Ballina Shire Council general manager has admitted it won’t have to cut services or consider axing council jobs if it can’t raise rates.

The good news for Ballina families is the council’s recommendation to take the indoor sports and event complex project forward to planning approval stage.

Such a complex is vital for a growth area such as Ballina, and such facilities have the potential to encourage more young families to move to the region.

The council still has to vote on the $26 million project this month, so let’s hope the lack of increased rates doesn’t dampen enthusiasm for the project.

Ballina needs to take a leaf out of the Lismore book, with the city council recently celebrating the opening of the new Goonellabah Sports Centre. I am sure Lismore would be happy to give Ballina some tips on getting such an important project built.

Originally published as Rate hike refusal is a relief to retirees