GLENCOE residents are “disgusted” by Wattle Range Council’s proposed change to the settlement’s rating model, which will see residential rates brought in line with other townships and increase by 25pc.
Members of the small community have launched a petition to object to the change in rating system before public comment on council’s draft annual business plan and budget closes today at 5pm.
Currently, residential properties in Glencoe are rated as rural and attract a 25pc discount on their rates compared to other townships.
Council chief executive Ben Gower said the rate discount was based on a peculiarity in which Glencoe does not have town boundary where township rates apply as in Kalangadoo, Nangwarry and Mount Burr.
“Up until now, they have had an anomaly of having a discount they were entitled to in comparison to all the other towns,” he said.
“It was an anomaly in their favour and probably not fair to begin with.”
Council is proposing to change from the current three rate code differential rating system to a new rating system based on land use, which will see all residential properties pay the full town rate fee.
However, commercial and industrial properties will receive a 15pc discount on rates, with properties considered as primary production to receive a 25pc discount.
Land considered vacant and having “other” use will pay 120pc of the rate value.
Long-time residents Lynn and Kevin Von Duve questioned whether the increase in rates would result in more council services.
“What do we get for paying more on our rates?” Ms Von Duve said.
“I bet we get nothing.
“We live on Agars Road and it is terrible.
“Council came out here and fixed one half of it – which was the better half – and left the other worse half.
“We asked them if they were going to finish the job and we were told ‘next financial year’.
“That is not fair.”
Resident Pam Hutchesson, who moved to the settlement from the Fleurieu Peninsula last year, said rates were already high enough.
“I had a beautiful house on a 40 acre property in the Alexandria Council and moved to a five acre block just out of Glencoe,” she said.
“I was paying less in rates there than I am here.
“I am disgusted council are looking at making us pay the township amount.
“25pc is a big jump and a lot of people will not be able to cope.”
Ms Hutchesson said the increase in rates would act as a deterrent for individuals and families looking to move to the small town.
“Why would you want to live in Glencoe when you have to pay a full amount of rates and get no services?” she said.
“It is certainly going to affect real estate because people who would otherwise come here to save money will pay a lot more in their rates.
“It will make it hard for people to sell their houses too.”
Community members also expressed anger they had not been consulted about the proposed rate change, with Country Post and Bistro co-owner Tameka Walker saying no one was aware of the steep increase.
“Everyone who has come in has had no idea about this,” she said.
“They could have come and spoken to us about why they are doing it.
“This would have just passed and people would have seen huge increases in their rates notice.”
However, Mr Gower said the issue was raised earlier this year at a Mayor and CEO meeting at the store.
“We did flag with the community this was in the pipeline,” he said.
“But we do not run around every township talking about the impacts of the budget.”
Public consultation on proposed changes and council’s annual business plan and budget close at 5pm tonight.
Council will hear submissions about both documents at next week’s monthly meeting.
