Rates crusader

By Bridget Brady
CASEY’S methane gas rate hike has outraged an Endeavour Hills woman who insists “innocent” ratepayers should not have to mop up the council’s mess.
Tricia Clarke has slammed the council for this year’s proposed 11.69 per cent rate rise – the largest in Casey’s history – and has invited other people to join her crusade as she considers launching a class action against the council.
Ms Clarke said she would not stand for the rate rise, and said unhappy residents needed to make their voices heard.
“In this particular instance, strength comes in numbers. I am calling on all ratepayers to help take a stand. Decisions could be changed,” she said.
“It makes me mad. It’s just awful.”
But a legal source said a successful class action would be unlikely because of the lack of a legal basis, and would be counterproductive as costs would be passed on to residents.
Ms Clarke said she wanted the 5.5 per cent, which the council assigned to fund part of the clean up costs of the Stevensons Road landfill, taken off this year’s proposed rate increase.
An ardent Ms Clarke said if this could not happen, the council should fall into the hands of the administrators.
“If the council cannot manage their job or duties then they should stand down, and get administrators in to manage the whole council.
“This is rubbish. If the council honestly think that two years down the track we would say oh well we’ll pay for it now…did they think that we were that naïve?”
Casey council has called on the State Government to chip in $41.9 million to help fund ongoing works at the landfill, which it said could exceed $100 million in 20 years. The council maintains the State Government helped create the mess and should therefore foot part of the bill.
Whoever was to blame, Ms Clarke said residents shouldn’t have to shoulder the full costs.
“I don’t know who is at fault with Brookland Greens, the State Government or Casey Council, but I do know that the council chose to put up the rates an extraordinary amount for the incompetent decisions, blundering and mistakes they have made.”
The rate rise would not just affect ratepayers, but also those who rented, Ms Clarke said.
“For people in the rent sector, their rent will go up and then there is more hardship, for already struggling residents.”
Ms Clarke said she wanted residents to register their voices and have their say. To do so, email voice_for_change@hotmail.com