Is Byron Shire Council (BSC) actually serious about ‘affordable housing’? Looking at their rates policy, I have to say ‘no’.
I’m not talking about the planned 35.03 per cent Special Rate Variation (SRV); that to me is only the final blow. My main problem starts way earlier: how our rates are set!
Our Council has what is called a ‘minimum rate’, which is charged for each and every property with a land value (that doesn’t include structures!) of currently $861,526. Every property owner has to pay this, it doesn’t matter if it is for a big five-bedroom house, a studio, and a swimming pool on a generous block; or for a small two-bedroom duplex in a strata development.
Where does this leave people who look for a cheap property because they are on a tight budget? People who buy or rent a small two- or three-bedroom duplex, because that is all they can afford? The ones, who really need ‘affordable housing’.
(Earlier this week, I checked local real estate listings: there were 17 parcels of land available in the Shire, all priced below $861,526. So the threshold itself is set rather high.)
Council has the opportunity to create a much fairer rate structure, which would take into account affordability of cheaper properties, at least strata units. The Local Government Act 1993, Section 529, gives councils the option to create sub-categories. So why can’t we have a sub-category ‘Residential/Units’ with much lower and more realistically set rates?
Maybe the big words about ‘affordable housing’ are only a lip service – until it affects Council’s own balance sheet!
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. 
