A TANTANOOLA farmer, who was hit with a 23.9pc rate increase this year, has asked Wattle Range Council candidates if they faced similar bills, would they consider it fair?
Peter Altschwager was one of about 50 residents from across the region who gathered at the Millicent Civic and Arts Centre on Tuesday night to have their say about local issues of importance at the WRC candidates forum, which was hosted by The South Eastern Times.
To kick off the event, council and mayoral candidates were given three minutes to introduce themselves and discuss their vision for the region.
Wattle Range residents then had the opportunity to raise any concerns and ask questions.
Mr Altschwager was one of five residents who put their questions to the panel as he told the candidates he was asking about fairness.
“I gave congratulations for the budget before last presented to council and approved where they had about a 1.9pc increase in rates,” he said.
“We have heard numerous speakers tonight, how they have presented the similar budget to keep rate prices to an absolute minimum, which from my research is not the case.
“The rural community has been belted up really badly, we have had increases between 15 and 30pc and that’s just ridiculous in a council that does not need to raise that huge amount of extra money.
“Certainly if they want to raise that sort of money, it has to be raised equally across the whole community.
“So I put the question to you all – if you were paying 15 to 30pc in your rates, would you consider that to be fair?”
Mr Altschwager said after speaking to many other rural people in the area he discovered the highest rate increase mentioned was 30pc.
The candidates were divided, while some agreed with Mr Altschwager and said council needed to review its rating method, some existing councillors said the increase was based on the land value and was an issue out of their control.
Corcoron ward candidate John Drew said he appreciated Mr Altschwager’s point as it was a “very real” one.
“The council has conducted a rate review, but we have tabled it for the moment until the new council comes in, then we can examine the quickest way to do that,” he said.
“I appreciate the problem, however it is tax and if you earn more money you pay more tax, if you have more land you pay more tax – that is the way the system is set up.
“Whether it is equitable right now is another story and certainly will be looked at very thoroughly in the new year.”
Meanwhile, Sorby Adams Ward candidate Gwenda Lawlor said she had a rate increase of 27pc and “felt Peter’s pain”.
“There’s not much I can do about it,” she said.
“We need more rural ratepayers on council so we can do something about it.”
Other questions put to the candidates included those related to the Millicent Taxi Services, the candidates’ experience in governance, the local radio station, tourism and free WiFi in Millicent’s township.
Wattle Range residents should receive their ballot papers in the post this week.
Following a two-month campaign period, voting will close at 5pm on November 9 and the count will take place on November 10.
