Politicians play blame game in Maribyrnong rates crisis
The high rates crisis in Maribyrnong is no closer to being fixed as local and state governments refuse to take responsibility.
North West
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The Maribyrnong rates debacle has descended into a finger-pointing exercise as a state candidate for Footscray says it is up to Maribyrnong Council to fix its rates crisis.
In a council meeting last month, Maribyrnong Council chief executive Stephen Wall repeatedly deflected blame regarding the council’s soaring rates, urging more than 50 protesters to hassle local state MPs to change the rating system.
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Mr Wall said there was nothing the council could do to reduce its high rates.
“Our hands are tied,” he said.
“An overhaul of the rating system has to come from the State Government.”
But Footscray state Labor candidate Katie Hall said rates were the council’s responsibility and accused them of “passing the buck.”
“I’m frustrated council is passing the buck here,” Ms Hall said.
“It’s firmly within council’s capacity to lower rates.”
“There are a whole heap of different levers and tools they can use.”
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Maribyrnong Council has some of the highest rates in Melbourne, a Leader investigation previously found.
Residential properties in Maribyrnong averaged $1992.60 in rates for 2017-18.
Hoards of ratepayers told councillors they couldn’t afford to pay their colossal rate notices, with some claiming they forked out more than $6000 a year.
When the Leader questioned the council about Ms Hall’s comments, Mr Wall said the council would hold a community forum to discuss possible solutions.