According to the Mayor Geoff Ablett (Taxing Times, News, 22 May), Casey needs a rates increase of 6.3 per cent to provide the infrastructure for a population growth rate of 120 new residents each week.
The mayor believes this will help “future proof the city” from any compromise on our essential services.
I would like to inform the mayor of Casey that population growth inevitably places pressure any city’s infrastructure, especially when that city, such as Casey, has no population policy.
Population growth means that taxes will always need to be raised to maintain our basic community services.
The quality of life for residents, as well as our essential service levels, is compromised by population growth.
We now know that population growth is one of the key drivers behind green house emissions and pollution.
Pollution reduces the quality of the air we breathe and spreads allergies and health problems throughout the community.
Growth means more traffic congestion and waste management problems.
Moreover, where will all the new Casey residents get employment Mayor Ablett?
The Coalition in Victoria has budgeted for an unemployment rate of 6.25 per cent in Victoria.
Roy Morgan research, however, shows that the rate of underemployment is really more than twice this figure and that consumer confidence has plummeted since the Abbott/Hockey Federal Budget was announced?
Isn’t it time that Casey developed a population policy based on what growth rates will be sustainable into the future?
Or will our councillors leave their heads in the sand on the most important issue impacting on our quality of life?
John Glazebrook,
Endeavour Hills.
Rates of growth
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