Look out people! Council rates will skyrocket next financial year. Valuer General letters came this week. As at 1/7/2022, they say my Unimproved Land Value has increased 150 per cent – more than doubled in three years. My house and land certainly would not sell for more than double 2019 prices.
If the Council uses the same cents in the dollar rate next year, my general rate will increase by more than $1,500. In what universe does anything go up 150 per cent in three years?
The Valuer General does not have to justify these values. We can object to the valuation, but we have to send proof of nearby property sales. Any sales around have million dollar houses on them – not a true indication of unimproved land value at all.
If everyone’s rates double, Byron Shire should have the best ever pothole free roads and clean, free-flowing stormwater drains! Yeah right.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
