NEWS DESK
Southern Peninsula
Proudly published by Mornington Peninsula News Group Pty. Ltd
PHONE: 03 5974 9000 Published weekly
Circulation: 22,870
Audit period: Apr 2018 - Sept 2018
Source: AMAA; CAB Total Distribution Audit for further information visit auditedmedia.org.au
Journalists: Liz Bell, Brodie Cowburn 5974 9000 Photographers: Gary Sissons, Yanni Advertising Sales: Ricky Thompson 0425 867 578 or ricky@mpnews.com.au Real Estate Account Manager: Jason Richardson 0421 190 318 Production/Graphic design: Marcus Pettifer, Dannielle Espagne Group Editor: Keith Platt 0439 394 707 Publisher: Cameron McCullough REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS: Craig MacKenzie, Peter McCullough, Stuart McCullough, Ben Triandafillou ADDRESS: Mornington Peninsula News Group, PO Box 588 Hastings 3915 Email: team@mpnews.com.au Web: mpnews.com.au DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE: 1PM ON THURSDAY 16 JUNE 2022 NEXT ISSUE PUBLICATION DATE: WEDNESDAY 22 JUNE 2022
An independent voice for the community We are the only locally owned and operated community newspaper on the Mornington Peninsula. We are dedicated to the belief that a strong community newspaper is essential to a strong community. We exist to serve residents, community groups and businesses and ask for their support in return.
Beach box rates to rise Liz Bell liz@mpnews.com.au MORE than 1000 beach box owners on the Mornington Peninsula are facing a 4.6 to 4.8 per cent rate rise as their beachside assets have increased in value. The highly sought after beach amenities are not included in the state government’s 1.75 per cent cap that applies to privately-owned property throughout the shire. There are more than 1200 boat sheds and bathing boxes on the peninsula, most of which are simple, free-standing storage sheds used by individuals and families to store beach equipment, boats and a place to get changed. Owners pay an annual licence fee – partly based on capital improved value - of around $725 to $925 a year. With rates largely based on capital improved value (CIV), this year’s expected rate rises are certain to hurt hip pockets. About 20 years ago, buyers could snap up a beach box for under $50,000 but, along with other real estate on the peninsula, values have escalated in the past two to three years, with some of the boxes now selling for six figures. Licence transfer fees are set to rise from $3260 to $3400. Last year a box at South Beach, Mount Martha sold for a record $650,000 and, in November, a Rye beach box sold for $570,000, twice its asking price. One Portsea beach box sold in 2018 for close to $1 million. Secretary of the Mornington
Picture: Keith Platt Peninsula Beach Box Association, Rick Galliene, said the high prices being paid beach boxes were “mildly disturbing” as they were mainly kept in families and passed on to the next generation, and should not be considered investments. He said the price rises had the potential to change the way people viewed them and may encourage more people to sell. Mr Galliene said he also expected many beach box owners to challenge their rates, as was their legal right. “We did a survey recently and the general response was that the boxes are for family events, for kids and grandkids to enjoy,” he said. “Higher rates might just change whether people can afford to keep them.” An officer’s report to the council meeting on 7 June noted boatsheds had experienced “higher than average” value growth over the past decade. The peninsula had 1303 rateable boatsheds of which 60 had been sold during 2021. The report found that rises in beach
box values had been “largely driven by increased buyer demand as people change their lifestyles choices, opting for a sea or tree change”. Restricted international travel was also found to have led local holidaymakers to the boatshed market, again increasing buyer demand and ultimately values. Since 2018, the shire has levied an annual $340 waste services charge on beach box owners. The Mornington Peninsula Beach Box Owners Association owners last year unsuccessfully fought against the “fees for no service” charge and then asked the shire for help in paying its Supreme Court costs (“Beach box group seeks shire leniency” The News 11/10/21). Changes to the management of beach boxes on shire controlled beaches proposed to be phased in by 2025 include licences only being granted to peninsula ratepayers and residents, restricting the number of licences to one a person and not making any extra land available for beach boxes.
We’re backing your small business with $20,000 wage subsidies. If you’re looking for staff, Jobs Victoria is backing your small business with a range of free services and wage subsidies for eligible employees. Learn more at jobs.vic.gov.au/subsidy or call 1300 208 575.
Backing Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne. Check coronavirus.vic.gov.au for the latest COVIDSafe Settings.
PAGE 8
Southern Peninsula News
15 June 2022