Federation and East Gippsland shire increase rates

Two farmers who served as councillors in southern NSW have hit back at criticism they are to blame for keeping rates at the lowest level.

Two farmers who served as councillors in southern NSW for more than 40 years have hit back at criticism they are to blame for keeping rates at the lowest level of any local government in regional NSW.

Bill Bott and Fred Longmire jointly served more than 40 years on the former Corowa Shire in including stints as mayors.

Gail Law, a councillor on Federation Council, a merger of the Corowa and Urana shires, this week accused farmers of being reluctant to lift rates when they were also on council.

In backing the need to hike rates by more than 60 per cent over the next four years to partly bankroll fixing badly damaged rural roads, Cr Law said: “I know that farmers are running a business, but council has to run too”.

Bill Bott pictured at the Corowa saleyards in 2020.

Mr Longmire said the criticism of farmer councillors, particularly Mr Bott, who served more than 30 years in local government “was totally uncalled for”.

“It’s poor form to attack someone of his standing and credibility,” Mr Longmire said.

“It’s also on the public record that the former Corowa Shire applied for and was granted special rate variations in my time on council.”

Mr Bott’s son David was part of a push to halt the huge rate rises in the Corowa, Urana and Mulwala areas.

“My best approach is to just ignore the comments,” Mr Bott said.

“It’s easier to be critical than to be correct.

“In my time I’ve been insulted by experts, but I try not to take offence.”

Bete Bolong farmer Chris Nixon says he is still not happy with a reduced rate rise from East Gippsland Shire. Picture: Laura Ferguson

Meanwhile, East Gippsland farmers have had a slight win in its rates battle with the initial 13.98 per cent increase being reduced to 8.48 per cent.

“It’s neither fair nor equitable and they really need to have a good hard look at themselves,” Bete Bolong’s Chris Nixon said.

“A fair and reasonable outcome would have been that everybody got a 1.75 per cent increase.”

“All businesses are having the same problems.”