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Wednesday 23 July 2014
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Twin Dilemma ASPENDALE’S Aspect Theatre Company will stage the play Blood Brothers at Parkdale’s Shirley Burke Theatre from 1-9 August. Pictured are Phil Lam as Eddie and Ash Cooper as Mickey, twin brothers whose lives have taken sharply different directions after they were separated at birth. Successful businessman Eddie eventually meets down and out Mickey and they become friends against the odds but a shattering fate awaits the duo thanks to an oath made to keep the brothers apart made many years before. See page 6. Picture: Gary Sissons
Rates rises defended Neil Walker neil@baysidenews.com.au COUNCILLORS are expected to sign off on Kingston Council’s 2014-15 budget next week after seeking community feedback on the draft budget released earlier this month. Several public submissions were received from Kingston ratepayers including a question asking why both rate revenues and council wage costs
are set to increase above the consumer price index. The draft budget shows rates will rise 4.25 per cent, costing Kingston property owners an extra $70 on average next year. Council’s wage bill is poised to increase by $4 million to about $73 million in 2014-15. Staff numbers are expected to drop by five full-time equivalents from 822 to 817. The CPI is expected to rise 2.25 per
CRIMINAL LAWYER • HIGHLY EXPERIENCED WITH OVER 3500 APPEARANCES IN COURT OVER THE LAST 18 YEARS
ASHLEY TICKNER
cent in 2014-15, according to Treasury modelling. Kingston mayor Paul Peulich described the 4.25 per cent rates rise foreshadowed in the draft budget as “moderate” when it was released for public comment. “Prudent financial management ensures the City of Kingston continues to deliver solid value for money to ratepayers,” he said at the time. “Kingston’s rate increases have been
trending down in recent years.” Kingston’s rate rises have fallen in size from 8 per cent in 2010-11 to 4.95 per cent in 2011-12, 4.95 per cent in 2012-13 and 4.45 per cent in 2013-14. The draft budget reveals employee costs will jump by $4 million to allow for council’s Enterprise Bargaining Agreement. Council officers replied to the submission and stated: “CPI generally is not relevant to a local Government
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Centre
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Authorities cost structure. “Less than 10 per cent of council’s expenditure is captured in the CPI basket… the CPI basket makes no allowance for expenditure necessary to address the maintenance backlog – currently $22 million (estimated) that is required to bring Council assets back to expected community standard.” Officers said CPI also does not apply to new capital works required.
MELBOURNE’S PSYCHIC EXPO Saturday 26th & Sunday 27th July 10am – 5pm
FRANKSTON ARTS CENTRE
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27-35 Davey St, Frankston
YOU WANT ASHLEY TICKNER STANDING UP FOR YOU IN COURT CALL
9781 4822 FOR YOUR 1ST APPOINTMENT FREE 36 Dandenong Road West, Frankston
U6/42 HARTNETT DRIVE SEAFORD PH: 9770 4011 : ZZZ SHQLQVXODÀUHSODFH FRP DX ( LQIR#SHQLQVXODÀUHSODFH FRP DX
$5 entry, Kids 15 & Under FREE
Enquiries Ph: 0404 352 049 psychicexpo.net.au
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