Stonnington Council gives a rate rebate, puts off Prahran Town Hall works in revised budget
UPDATE: Furious ratepayers and struggling businesses have won a major victory in Stonnington after uproar over council plans to bump up rates. But three councillors’ bids to try and deliver an even bigger rates cut were unsuccessful.
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UPDATE: Stonnington Council has passed its revised budget, but not before attempts from three councillors to deliver a bigger rates cut.
The council will refund the State Government’s two per cent rate rise - an average of $29 -following uproar from struggling traders and ratepayers during the consultation period.
Almost 100 submissions were made, 87 of which were not in favour of the draft budget, with the rates increase the biggest sore point.
The budget passed six votes to three, with councillors Marcia Griffin, Glen Atwell and Judy Hindle voting against the plan.
They argued for a bigger rate reduction - ranging from six to ten per cent.
Cr Glen Atwell said his alternative recommendation for a six per cent rates decrease would have delivered about $90 back in ratepayers pockets.
“Forget cutting ribbons, this was a chance to invest in our communtiy to get people through the pandemic.
“In voting against the Budget, I was voting to do more to support our ratepayers when they need it most - right now.”
Mayor Steve Stefanopoulos, who spoke out against a further rates cut, said the council had to ensure it maintained its services standards and was “agile and responsive to what will be many more months of recovery and rebuilding.”
“We are investing in our businesses and our community to ensure we can stimulate our economy, once restrictions are lifted,” he said.
“We must be there for the Stonnington community where and when it matters and we are confident this budget positions us to do so.”
TRADERS JUBILIANT
Ratepayers will be charged at the increased rate in their notices, but the council will then ‘waive’ the two per cent increase in the same bill.
Previously, the council was only going to offer the refund to those who paid their rates in full by the end of October.
Trader groups including the Chapel Street Precinct Association came out in force with concerns over the rates rise.
The Association’s manager Chrissie Maus thanked the council for “their U-turn on this important matter”.
“This new budget is a great win for our world-leading community and we are so thankful that they (Stonnington) listened,” she said.
The Association’s chairpserson Justin O’Donnell said the rate rise “should have never been proposed in the first place”.
“We are in a recession; you just can’t justify an increase, in fact, it should be the opposite.
“I’m glad common sense prevailed and we send a heartfelt thank you to Stonnington for listening,” said Mr. O’Donnell.
The council has also decided to put off major works for its $32 million Prahran Town Hall redevelopment, with only $250,000 for maintenance allocated.
It originally planned to spend $7 million on the project, with the funding pushed back until the next financial year.
The council is still forecasting a surplus of $19.95 million – $2.15 million less than it originally planned.
But Ratepayers Stonnington president Dean Hurlston feared residents would be hit by “bill shock” and a four per cent rise in the next financial year.
“All council is doing is providing a two per cent waiver this year, which means residents will get a bill shock next year that equates to a four per cent increase on what they paid this year,” Mr Hurlston said.
“While it is a good move from council, it has not resulted in the council significantly cutting any costs.
“It is little change from a council that has simply deferred a little bit of spending, yet has already spent a million dollars relocating Prahran Library that is now being deferred.”
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