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Volume 9, Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Anger and confusion at community consultation
A
By Millie Thomas
consultation meeting aimed at further explaining the proposed community plan and contribution scheme to Andamooka locals caused high emotion and confusion last week. The meeting, led by Andamooka Town Management Committee (ATMC) members Peter Allen and Mark Sutton explained the detailed objectives of the Committee as listed in the plan. It also outlined the committee’s annual budget, including a proposed community contribution scheme of $256,000 from an occupied land levy. The levy, as explained by the ATMC, will see each resident pay $400 per individual unit of occupied land, of which Mr Allen estimated there were 640 property untis in Andamooka. The price will be the same for each unit, regardless of size and what, if any structures are on it. The only exemptions, are if the land is unoccupied, the owner would not be obliged to pay the levy and if the land is used on a commercial basis, it will be charged accordingly. “We cannot leave Andamooka the way it is,” explained Mr Sutton. However, a number of locals responded in anger when they were told they would be contributing almost half of the budget. “I just don’t see why the people of Andamooka have to bear 50 per cent of the rates,” exclaimed one angry resident. “I don’t agree with that at all. I think it should be on a value based system, on the value of the land or the value of the property, I think that’s what it should be based on,” said another. “I don’t think that’s a fair system, and I don’t agree with that I just don’t think that will work.” Mr Sutton explained under the Outback Communities Administration Management Act 2009, of which the Outback Communities Authority is constituted, this was not possible. “We can’t rate on the value of properties. We can only rate on the fact that properties are occupied,” he said. In an emotional outburst, local resident Bill Kapakis claimed it is illegal to pay a standard rate for all blocks of land. “I don’t mind paying, but they have to be legal,” he said. Some attendees also questioned why BHP Billiton was not contributing to the community budget. However, some were in favour of the proposal. “It works out to be eight dollars a week, just over
one dollar a day, and I’m prepared to pay that,” one man said. Many attendees wanted to see a more detailed breakdown of the operational budget. Mr Sutton stated the allocated $230,000 would go towards the salaries of a community administrator and office support person, the maintenance of the office and office supplies and a company car. “We believe conservatively, that’s a very conservative budget, $230,000 to run the business of Andamooka’s local management,” he said. “As far as I’m concerned, as far as I can see, this is the best package that ticks enough boxes to make it happen. We can’t force the Government to change the rules to allow us to levy on value,” added Mr Allen.
ABOVE: Peter Allen contemplating upset responses at the community consultation. INSET: Mark Sutton addressing the crowd of approximately 20 Andamooka residents last week.
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