JUNE 1, 2016 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
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Council rate rise bid fails Wyndham council has failed in its bid to raise rates by more than the 2.5 per cent allowed by the state government. The Essential Services Commission (ESC) has knocked back Wyndham’s request to be exempt from the rate cap, saying it was in a strong financial position for 2016-17. Wyndham asked to be allowed to raise rates by 4.5 per cent. But the ESC said the council had the financial capacity to look into funding alternatives and spending offsets without increasing rates above the cap. “Wyndham acknowledged that it had not yet pursued some of the options and alternatives available because it wishes to consult further with the community about the potential impacts of those options,” the ESC said in its judgement. “As such, Wyndham’s application is yet to confirm the long-term revenue needs that would justify an … increase in the rate base.” Wyndham was one of 10 Victorian councils to apply for exemption from the 2.5 per cent rate rise cap. Wyndham, Ballarat and Casey’s applications were rejected, while the ESC approved rate-capping variations for Buloke, Horsham, Moorabool, Pyrenees, Towong and Murrindindi. Wyndham council, which unveiled its draft 2016-17 budget at the end of April, will now have to cut about $3 million from its proposed capital works spending. Funding for the Werribee Integrated Community Hub, a feasibility study for Wyndham’s third
indoor leisure centre facility, stage one of the Wyndham Cultural Centre redevelopment and $600,000 of road reconstructions and resurfacing programs, among other projects, will be culled because the budget variation was not approved. Heather Marcus was one of three councillors, along with Intaj Khan and Gautam Gupta, to vote against the draft budget, saying she could not support a budget that included an increase on the state governmentimposed 2.5 per cent rate cap.
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We anticipate a $50m shortfall in the next four years
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- Adele Hegedich Mayor Adele Hegedich said that while the council accepted the decision, it was disappointed that the needs of a growth area such as Wyndham had not been given greater consideration. “We’re concerned about the longer‐term compounding effect that rate-capping will have on growth areas,” Cr Hegedich said. “Beyond 2016-17, we anticipate that the cumulative effect of a rate cap will be a funding shortfall of approximately $50 million over the next four years. “Combined with an annual infrastructure funding shortfall of approximately $16 million, or $337 million over 20 years due to lack of government grants and insufficient developer contributions, our ability to deliver much needed services and infrastructure will be compromised.”
(Supplied)
By Charlene Macaulay
YASHITH FERNANDO AND NATASHA JENKINS
Pursuing the law, and more Never underestimate a blonde with a Harvard law degree. Actress Natasha Jenkins will take the lead role of Elle Woods in the Wyndham Theatre Company production of Legally Blonde Jr next week. The musical follows sorority queen and socialite Elle as she pursues boyfriend Warner, played by Yashith Fernando, all the way to Harvard law school to win him back and discover along the way that she’s quite the legal eagle herself. Legally Blonde Jr, with an entire under-18 cast, will run at Wyndham Cultural Centre on June 10 and 11. Details: www.legallyblondejr.com Charlene Macaulay
P: 8560 0220
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