12477071-CG03-21
Established in 1875 as the
proudly serving Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay
28 APRIL, 2021
See inside for all your property news
SIGN UP NOW!
Let’s go disco
Maribyrnong mayor Michael Clarke and Stargazed Festival director Stephanie Peters.
The Stargazed Festival is reigniting the disco inferno in Footscray by showcasing some of the best in local arts and music. From May 1-16, a series of immersive concerts and experiences will be happening in the area, including roller disco, experimental sound and video, and virtual reality performances in a disused ammunition facility evoking the ghosts of Footscray past. Those seeking a more relaxed experience can take a boat ride along the Maribyrnong River while being serenaded by dreamy acoustic folk music, or experience an evening of films curated by local filmmakers. Guests can also enjoy a new wave rock concert at Kindred Studios, showcasing one-off performances from Stargazed Records artists, or mix it up at the variety show, including burlesque, at the Footscray Park Bowls Club. And yes, guests can bowl. Stargazed is a Footscray-based not-for-profit art collective and record label, specialising in immersive experiences. Details and bookings: stargazed.org/festival
(Damjan Janevski) 234852_01
Goya Dmytryshchak
Rate rise divides council By Goya Dmytryshchak Hobsons Bay council’s draft 2021-22 budget has been narrowly passed by four votes to three, with some councillors expressing concern at an accumulative 3.5 per cent rate rise over two years. This year’s proposed average general rate rise is 1.5 per cent, in line with the state government’s rate cap. However, council documents note that last year’s “one-off rate adjustment in 2020-21 has been removed” and “it acknowledged that its removal could be considered to increase the overall rate rise in 2021-22”. Cr Tony Briffa asked last week’s council meeting if last year’s 2 per cent rate rise would apply this year and was told it would be accumulated into this year’s rate rise.
WI L L IAM S TOWN
Feasts
“I opposed the 2 per cent residential rate increase last year; it’s no surprise I continue to oppose that 2 per cent this year,” they said. “I also oppose the additional 1.5 per cent increase proposed for the 2021-22 year. “This is not in my opinion – and, hell what would I know – but this is not the time to increase rates in my opinion. “Lots of residents have been impacted by the pandemic. Many people have lost their jobs, been made underemployed, made to retire early, lost businesses, careers have been delayed by younger people, etcetera. “If I look at pensioners and our most vulnerable people, they are doing it really tough. These people are on fixed incomes. “Their hard-earned savings continue to reduce yet their bills continue to rise year after
a l l e a P Wednesdays
year after. “I’m not sure that the ‘Hobsons Bay has Heart’ [campaign] is actually reflected in this budget given the successive residential rate increases during a pandemic, which is unfortunately not over by a long shot.” Deputy mayor and chartered accountant Daria Kellander said: “I can’t support a rates rise during COVID. “Well, the argument might be that the council needs a bigger surplus to reinvest back into the community as capital works – how much of a surplus is enough? “If we look back to the 2018-19 budget and look at the surplus that was being forecast for the 2021-22 year at that stage, it was forecasting $16.3 million. “The latest budget is forecasting a surplus of $27.4 million – that’s $11 million higher, $11
Souva
TAV E R N A N I G H T
$60 for 2
Thursdays
$40 p.p
million more than we have today. “Last year, Maribyrnong froze their 2 per cent rate raise. Hobsons Bay simply Band-aided it with a $20 rebate to every household. “According to last year’s budget, Maribyrnong was forecasting a surplus of $18.6 million for the 2021-22 year. Hobsons Bay is now forecasting $8.8 million higher than that, so how much money is enough?” Cr Diana Grima said she was against the rate rise because of “COVID and job losses”. “I think we should decrease our rates,” she said. The draft budget will be out for public feedback until May 14 and is expected to be decided on at the council meeting on June 8. The full council meeting of April 20 can be heard via the Hobsons Bay council website.
Pork Belly S H A R E P LAT T E R S
Sundays
$29 p.p
APRIL #hobsonsbayhasheart
sebastianbeachgrill.com/booking-info
santorinirestaurant.com.au/reservation
ragusarepublika.com.au/booknow 12490198-DL15-21