Community asked to voice their thoughts on new rating strategy
Published on 27 September 2018
Mildura Rural City Council is developing its new rating strategy for the coming five years and is asking for community input to ensure residents’ views are considered.
The Rating Strategy will formulate the way rates are calculated within the Mildura Rural City Council area and will come into effect from 1 July 2019. Rates fund well over 50 per cent of Council’s total budget each year, helping to deliver the dozens of vital services, assets and facilities across our region.
Council has engaged external consultants Mach2 Consulting who are experts in this field to develop the new draft rating strategy in a bid to ensure it is carried out by an independent party.
Council is planning a series of one-on-one meetings with the community throughout the municipality during the week starting Monday 22 October to seek their feedback.
Residents are encouraged to make appointments to speak directly with the consultants working on the strategy at these meetings. Telephone Interpreter Services will be available on request.
Mach2 Consulting will use the issues and ideas raised during this initial consultation process to help shape the new draft rating strategy.
Mayor Mark Eckel said the 2019-2024 rating strategy would be the first since significant changes were introduced in 2014, including:
- a Farming differential rate set at 95% of the residential rate
- a Business differential rate set at 120% of the residential rate
- a City Heart special rate
- introduction of a $100 Municipal Charge
Cr Eckel urged residents, farmers, businesses and groups to take part in the new rating strategy development process.
“During our recent draft budget process there was a lot of commentary in the community in relation to rates, and our upcoming meetings are the perfect opportunity for people to raise those same issues,” he said.
“By including residents’ thoughts and ideas very early in this process, we want to ensure our community’s views are considered.”
The week-long series of public consultation meetings will run from Monday 22 October to Friday 26 October, taking in Mildura, Red Cliffs, Merbein, Ouyen, Murrayville, Underbool, Cullulleraine and Nangiloc.
Specific times and dates for each location, as well as details on how to make an appointment, are available on Council’s website at www.mildura.vic.gov.au/haveyoursay or by contacting Council on (03) 5018 8100. Appointments must be made by Friday 12 October.
Written feedback is also encouraged and can be emailed to mrcc@mildura.vic.gov.au or posted to Mildura Rural City Council, Box 105 Mildura. 3502 by Friday 26 October.
After this feedback has been compiled, a draft rating strategy will be produced and once endorsed at a Council Meeting, will go out on public exhibition before the final strategy is presented to Council early next year for adoption.
Media enquiries
Ben Piscioneri
p) (03) 5018 8689
e) ben.piscioneri@mildura.vic.gov.au