‘Everyone had their chance’ on rate review

By Jim Mynard
CASEY Rate Review committee chair Norma McCausland said she believed that all sections of the community were given a chance to be well heard by the committee.
Mrs McCausland said the committee received 67 submissions and the 20committee members were involved in discussions with people who put a wide range of concerns.
Committee members also went back to their support groups to report and discuss issues.
“Many people phoned us and spoke to us in the street.
“There was wide opportunity for people to raise issues and put their point of view,” she said.
Mrs McCausland was responding to claims that the committee was biased in favour of the Rural Landholders Association (RLA).
She said the final report was now back with the community and people could see it and make further comment. She said, however, that the City of Casey needed a rating system that recognised particular groups.
“The only way to do that is with a differential rating system,” she said.
Mrs McCausland said some consideration needed to be taken of situations where people were on family properties for many years.
“Some are asset rich and cash poor and may be forced to sell because of high rates.”
She said that whatever happened from the report and its recommendations there would need to be compromise.