Unhappy City of Rockingham ratepayers are circulating posters in an attempt to voice their disgust for council members who voted for a rates hike at last Tuesday’s meeting.
Both Cr Dawn Jecks and Cr Craig Buchanan put forward alternate scales for a rates rises — Cr Jecks proposing 4.2 per cent and Cr Buchanan 3.9 per cent, which in real terms would have made a difference of about $5 on each rates bill.
Ultimately, mayor Deb Hamblin and councillors Peter Hudson, Caroline Hume, Mark Jones, Mike Crichton, Leigh Liley and Jecks voted for the bigger hike of 4.2 per cent.
Crs Buchanan, Robert Schmidt, Lorna Buchan and Kelly Middlecoat escaped the wrath of locals by voting for an alternate motion that proposed the 3.9 per cent rates increase, more in line with the CPI which currently sits at 3.6 per cent.
The 4.2 per cent increase will result in residential homeowners paying minimum rates needing to find an extra $55 a year, with that cost to rise from $1322 to $1377.
At Tuesday’s meeting Cr Buchanan, who will stand as a candidate for the Legalise Cannabis party at the next State election, argued a rates rise was not needed while the city held a surplus.
“We do all know there are people out there doing it tough,” he said.
“Frankly, I’m not willing to be the person who pushes a family over the edge.
“Yes, the rise is small when compared between 3.9 and 4.2 but it could easily be the straw that breaks the back for one family.”
Cr Liley said there were adequate supports for struggling families.
“We all acknowledge that the economic climate is challenging, but there are support available … taxation reform … if you’re on $30,000 a year you are going to pocket an extra $30 a month, $60,000 an extra $98 a month, $70,000 an extra $119 a month,” she said.
“There’s energy support and rebates, you’ve got the WA student assistance payment scheme, in 2025 there will be free internet for school students, there’s six weeks rental assistance through Anglicare, there’s Salvation Army, Foodbank, the minimum wage has increased, the age pension has increased.”
Most metropolitan councils have already raised or flagged a rates rise.
The city received more than 50 submissions objecting to the increase when it was advertised for comment.
Many cited the current cost of living, along with claims the city was failing to keep up with services.
“You have done nothing to justify a rate rise. You couldn’t even organise verge collection within a reasonable time frame. The streets are unkept, waist high weeds on main routes in and out of the area. How long do we have to look at that graffiti covered, fenced off wall along Warnbro Ave? It’s an eyesore. Do better, be more resourceful, earn your community’s respect before you try and take more of our hard earned money from our pockets,” one submission read.
Following the meeting irate City of Rockingham residents circulated a poster featuring photos of Ms Hamblin and councillors Hudson, Hume, Jones, Crichton, Liley and Jecks and took to social media to express their displeasure.
Others shared an image of the front page of the book “Accounting for Dummies”.
Cr Jecks justified her decision via a post to social media, writing the city had millions of dollars worth of unfunded projects to pay for.
“Maybe if the council found a way to cut some costs, fruit at work, costly councillor dinners after meetings etc. then we the taxpayers wouldn’t have to keep footing the bill every year. You had a chance to save the ratepayers some hardship even if it was $5 it all adds up,” one woman wrote.
Following this, Cr Jecks said she was closing comments on her post.
Ms Hamblin told the Sound Telegraph she was not aware of councillors being harassed due to their vote but the city did not condone abusive behaviour.
“Members of the community are encouraged to express their views but this must be done in a respectful manner,” she said.
Ms Hamblin said rates were a vital element for the city to meet service delivery and infrastructure expectations from the community.
“As a rapidly growing outer metropolitan local government, keeping pace with population growth, working towards the aspirations identified in the Strategic Community Plan and maintaining existing assets and services are ongoing challenges for the City of Rockingham,” she said.
“The increase, which equates to approximately $1.21 per week for the average residence, ensures the continued delivery of essential services and the enhancement of our community’s future services, facilities and infrastructure without compromising our financial stability.
“Due to the challenging economic conditions of the previous year, council has had to make some tough decisions and in some cases has declined tenders due to high costs and deferred some projects.
“However, given the needs of the community, we still have to provide infrastructure and services in a timely and sustainable manner.”
