17 November 2015

NEWS DESK

Farmers rally to fight rate ‘threat’ David Harrison david@mpnews.com.au MORNINGTON Peninsula farmers are gearing up to oppose any cut to the farm rate “discount� for agricultural land. They now pay 35 per cent of the general residential rate.

A message originating from Dromana farmer Cr David Gibb appears to have begun the rural mobilisation. It was prompted by Mornington Peninsula Shire’s planned review of its rating structure.

Cr Gibb emailed on 4 November: “The Farm rate for rural properties, many of whom are Landcare members, is under threat.�

The message went to the Dunns Creek Landcare Group, with which Cr Gibb is associated, which sent it to its membership with a message from the group’s president, Roger Stuart-Andrews.

His message read in part: “It appears the shire is seriously considering removing the rate rebate on farm properties which would mean that we would be rated as for the general non-rural properties‌ “[Given] the size of some of our land holdings, this could potentially mean enormously increased rate bills for those of us on the land.â€?

Mr Stuart-Andrews described the shire review as “an iniquitous attack on landholders already fighting rising

charges in every direction without a compensatory rise in income from the produce of our land�.

Farm properties pay the standard residential rate for the land on which the house is built – the curtilage – and a separate rate that is 35 per cent of the general residential rate.

The shire had a short community consultation on its rating review, inviting people to send “submissions for consideration in the development of council’s rating strategy�.

The original deadline, 9 November, was extended until 13 November in what appears to be a hurried process for such a major matter.

The shire document, Rating Strategy Discussion Paper 2016/17 says shire policy “supports the continuation of a farm rate differential� and notes that council’s strategic plan “has a strong commitment to agriculture�.

Victoria’s Valuation of Land Act defines farm land as “any rateable land ‌ that is used primarily for grazing (including agistment), dairying, pigfarming, poultry-farming, fish-farming, tree-farming, bee-keeping, viticulture, horticulture, fruit-growing or the growing of crops of any kind or for any combination of those activitiesâ€?.

It must be used by a business “that has a significant and substantial commercial purpose or character; and that seeks to make a profit on a continuous or repetitive basis from its activities on the land�.

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Beach impressions: Fran Bainbridge and her work “Shoreham Sands�.

Art inspired by lifestyle A PHOTOGRAPHER by profession, Fran Bainbridge these days finds herself more often wielding paint brushes and metalworking tools than operating a camera. “In a world where everything is so readily accessible online, I considers it a pleasure to be designing and creating unique pieces in silver and gold,� she says.

Her paintings are inspired by life on the Mornington Peninsula.

She describes “Shoreham sands� as “a painting executed in a free flowing loose abstract style that has captured the interest of many who love to wander along our pristine beaches�.

Bainbridge, previously of Gallery One in Mornington, is having an exhibition at Manyung Gallery, Mt. Eliza.

The exhibition includes framed oil paintings and a collection of handmade silver and gold jewelry. “I am really excited to be slotted

into the special Christmas exhibition as Manyung has a fabulous reputation,� Bainbridge said.

Her works will be exhibited at Manyung Gallery, Nepean Highway, Mt Eliza, from 6pm Friday 27 November.

Bainbridge has invited those attending to have a glass of champagne while viewing her new works and others by “acclaimed artists�.

Details: Fran Bainbridge on 0488 040 079.

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