The impact of recent land valuations between the coast and hinterland was highlighted at last week’s Tweed Shire Council meeting with Mayor Chris Cherry bringing a Notice of Motion to examine different ways the rates system could be adjusted to compensate for the disparity.
‘Everybody in the community is aware of the massive impacts that the land valuations have had in our Shire,’ said Cr Cherry,
‘We’ve got increases up to 130 per cent in land values and the average increase is 75 per cent across the Shire, and that’s a massive increase in land valuations.’
No more money for Council
Cr Cherry once again pointed out that this does not lead to an increase of rate collection by the Tweed Shire Council but changes the amount of rates different rate payers will pay.
The change in land valuations means ‘that the way those rates are distributed is very, very high for the people on the coast and is much lower in the hinterland,’ she explained.
The rating system cannot be changed for this years rates and they are seeking to potentially change the rates from next year.
Councillor Reece Byrnes pointed out that the impact on lower income home owners needed to be considered as the cost of living for them is higher than a high income earner.
‘It may affect poorer landholders out in the sticks, in the hills, more so than it might affect someone on the coast with more earning capacity,’ he said.
Councillor Warren Polglase pointed out that changing land values over time leads to a long term fairer distribution but pointed out that ‘it’s a difficult one to work with; but I do believe it’s worthwhile having a look at it, because it’s really tax on wealth and prosperity.’
The motion that ‘Requests that the General Manager investigates rating options for Council to consider for further budgets within legislative guidelines, and 2. Brings back a report into the implications on ratepayers across the Shire for each option presented and the steps required for implementation if a more equitable method of rating can be applied’ was supported by all councillors.
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