Rate Capping is at the core of most problems plaguing local government
The pressure on council budgets is making the work of many dedicated council workers insecure, wages are suppressed, jobs opportunities are going unfilled.
But there’s something we can do about it.
Getting the Andrews Labor Government to change its terrible rate capping policy won’t be easy, but it will have real benefits for communities and council workers.
You can play a part right now by completing this very short survey about your experiences at work.
Click here for the survey
Rate Capping Puts Pressure On Staff & Reduces Services
Rate capping squeezes councils, and every internal budget cut has a direct impact on the services provided by Council.
In Darebin City Council’s Town Planning Department budget has been cut and caseloads have blown out, putting pressure on staff and causing delays.
Customers are understandably unhappy, and there are even questions about meeting statutory obligations.
While unseen by most workers and residents, a constriction in the processing of planning applications is an unneeded restriction on the local economy.
Like so many problems across local government, the root cause is rate capping that is squeezing councils every day.
Rate Capping Pushing Councils To The Brink
The Andrews Government’s rate capping policy is squeezing the budgets of every local Council In Victoria.
For local communities, that means services aren’t keeping up with demand, and infrastructure isn’t maintained as it needs to be or being built to service the needs of fast-growing communities.
But at Moonee Valley City Council, the situation is dire.
Moonee Valley’s Draft 10 Year Financial plan puts insolvency of the Council just 2 years away.
“A review of the indicators show that the Council is insolvent by 2023/24 if the current level of revenue and expenditure is maintained. One reason the Council’s financial position has deteriorated in recent years, is the introduction of rate capping by the Victorian Government in 2016.”
There is a crisis in local government that needs to be addressed immediately by the Andrews Government.
