Maribyrnong Council holds rate forum to fix rates crisis

Maribyrnong Council will hold a community rates forum to tackle its skyrocketing rates crisis once and for all.

Chanel Zagon

less than 2 min read

November 27, 2018 - 12:00AM

Maribyrnong Leader

The next chapter in the Maribyrnong rates crisis unfolds. Picture: Supplied.

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Maribyrnong Council will hold a rates forum to nip the municipality’s rates crisis in the bud once and for all.

The forum comes after the council copped backlash for deflecting the blame for its high rates to the State Government.

Crowds of ratepayers are set to pack out the Footscray Town Hall at the community forum on Wednesday, which begins at 6:30pm.

Council chief executive Stephen Wall said multiple forums may need to be held due to the large number of people expected.

“I hope that next Wednesday’s rates forum will be a good step for providing the responses that people are seeking,” he said.

Figures show the number of Maribyrnong ratepayers who have contested their rates notice is on the rise.

In November, 638 homeowners objected to their notice — a 54 per cent increase from October.

A Leader investigation previously found Maribyrnong ratepayers were paying some of the highest rates in Melbourne.

Maribyrnong residential properties averaged $1992.60 in rates for 2017-18.