Licence fees for Mornington Peninsula beach boxes slashed after claims of ‘fee gouging’
A controversial fee hike for Mornington Peninsula beach boxes has been slashed after an intense campaign by owners. But they aren’t shouting the bar just yet.
South East
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Mornington Peninsula Shire Council has finally changed its tune on licence fees for beach boxes.
After an intense campaign by owners the local council has approved a lower licence fee of $900 for the 823 boat sheds it manages – except those less than five square metres.
The smaller boat sheds would attract a fee of $700.
Rates and waste charges would still be applied.
Under the reduced fees beach box owners would pay a total average of $1578, representing a saving of $237.
Mornington Peninsula Beach Box Association president Mark Davis said the decision was a step in the right direction.
“Our members are still paying 100 per cent more than they did before the licence fees were restructured,” he said,
“But we’re pleased with this reduction and think the councillors who advocated on our behalf did a great job.”
Last year Mornington Peninsula Shire increased beach boxes licence fees by up to 170 per cent when a flat fee of $445 was replaced with a variable charge of between $720 and $1200 per boat shed.
As a result many locals were paying higher rates for their beach box than a three-bedroom house in the region and they accused the council of price gouging.
A council report tabled at Tuesday night’s meeting revealed that 82 per cent of beach box owners also owned other property on the Mornington Peninsula.
“There has been a misconception that the majority of beach boxes were investments,” Mr Davis said.
“The fact is our members do make other contributions to the area.”
Cr Bev Colomb said the new fees were still among the highest charged in Victoria and the council would receive a “substantial contribution” from beach box owners without putting them under “unfair pressure”.
She was proud of the decision which showed the council was prepared to listen to community feedback and make changes.
Councillors David Gill, Hugh Fraser and Kate Roper did not support the change.
Cr Gill said it meant beach box owners would pay about $30 a week for private use of public space.
He said the council would also have $194,000 less at its disposal to help sections of the community “less capable of looking after themselves”.
Mornington Peninsula council’s decision brings it in line with fees paid by Frankston City Council, which also charges $900 for a licence along with rates and waste levies.
By comparison Bayside City Council beach box owners pay $986 for their licence plus rates but have no waste charge and Kingston Council has a flat fee of $900.
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