Nillumbik Council commits to big community infrastructure spend without raising rates

FORGET capped rate increases, one council in Melbourne’s northeast says it will deliver on commitments without any rate increase at all.

Nillumbik Mayor Peter Clarke says he has campaigned to rein in rates. Picture: Mark Wilson

A COUNCIL in Melbourne’s northeast is bucking the trend of complaints about capped rate rises and will instead put a freeze on any rate rise over the next financial year.

It will be the first time in its history Nillumbik Council has had no rate rise and will come despite increased funding to community services and debt reduction in its 2017-2018 budget.

Nillumbik Mayor Peter Clarke told the Diamond Valley Leader a review of council’s operations, asset sales and supplementary rates made it possible.

Cr Clarke said rates had risen 35 per cent in the past four years and he had campaigned on reining in rates rises.

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“This is indeed history ... (it) delivers on every commitment we took to the last election, plus more,” Cr Clarke said.

“We’re committed to providing the biggest expenditure on community facilities and infrastructure in our history.”

During the next 10 years, the council’s $13.46 million debt is expected to be paid off, with $725,000 to be contributed from the 2017-2018 budget.

Over that time the council is also aiming to put a halt on borrowing any more money.

A comparison of rate bills for 2015-16 on the Know Your Council website shows Nillumbik residents are paying the highest average rates in Victoria, with the average bill $2569, significantly higher than next cab off the rank — Boroondara Council’s $2152 average.

While Cr Clarke can’t guarantee a rates freeze during his four-year term, he doesn’t expect rates to increase more than three per cent during that period.

The draft budget is available for public consultation. The public can provide feedback on the proposal, which will be heard at the Future Nillumbik meeting on June 13.