There was quite a discrepancy between the rates paid by ratepayers in the former Hurstville and Kogarah LGAs, being an average and minimum annual of $571 and $942, respectively.
If there is equalisation or harmonisation of the rates across the Georges River Council, why is the annual average increase given as $132?
As I would see the mathematics, Hurstville ratepayers would be paying an increase of $371, Kogarah ratepayers of $23, respectively.
When attendees at the community consultation sessions asked for a real rate notice, to see what the payments will be like, rather than just averaged figures. What was offered was an averaged business notice without any meaningful information to support the notice; no address, no land valuation.
Why are ratepayers being given these averaged figures which are deceptive to understand what the increase will be for the 2020-2021 period?
Will former Hurstville ratepayers be happy to pay on average $371, next year? That's much more than the weekly average $3 being quoted. It's over $7 per week.
There are 146,841 residents in the Georges River Council LGA in the Census 2016. The number of ratepayers is not known. How many ratepayers will be affected?
Seeing the very small numbers of ratepayers attending the community consultation sessions, there will be many surprised ratepayers amongst the former Hurstville Council, when they receive their rate notice on July 1, 2020.
T Scott, Kogarah
Through future planning and forecasting we will see a dramatic increase in residential properties (mainly apartments) within the George River Council area.
There will be an increase to commercial and residential properties within the next five to 10 years, decreasing the standard of living for current residents.
The income for Georges River Council will increase dramatically. There is no justification for increase. Even over the last five years the income should have outstripped expenditure.
The solution - increase fees for developers. Fines should also be increased for not following DAs.
Within the next 10 years forecasting will see minimum 20,000 more apartments within the Georges River Council, this was in one of councils future planning reports.
Simple mathematics: $1500 rates per year x 20,000 new developments = $30 million in increased income per year.
A recession in the foreseeable future, we are heading to negative interest rates. Joining countries such as Japan, Sweden, Euro, Denmark, Switzerland. Yet Georges River Council can't seem to manage the finances including substantial increase in developments and income in the last 10 years. Also big increases in salaries.
Conclusion, further developments, within the same streets. More than enough income, yet our wonderful councillors are requesting rate payers to pay an 8.1 per cent special rate variation and 2.5 per cent annual rate increase.
Rod Lugarno
