By Alesha Capone
A Wyndham council decision to offer rates relief for some residents due to the coronavirus pandemic has been criticised by dissenting councillors.
A majority of councillors last week voted in favour a motion put forward by Cr Intaj Khan, which will give residents receiving JobKeeper the ability to apply for a $100 rebate on this year’s rates bill.
For pensioners, the council will offer an additional $50 off their rates bill, on top of the state government’s existing rebate.
Cr Khan said the rebate would not cause “a big hole” in the budget, while Cr Mia Shaw said the rebate budget amendment would strengthen the council’s hardship policy “in a responsible way”.
However, councillors who voted against the idea, including Heather Marcus and Henry Barlow, questioned why some residents, such as those receiving a JobSeeker payment, would not receive a rebate.
Cr Marcus said she voted in favour of Cr Khan’s previous motion a month ago to give all residents rates’ relief, but that she could not support his latest idea.
She said the latest motion would discriminate against many residents and she was “very, very angry about it”.
Cr Barlow described the motion as “irresponsible”.
He said the council had seen no costings on the amendment, or eligibility guidelines.
“We cannot allocate ratepayer’s money without guidelines,” he said.
“This is, in my view, a dereliction of our duty as councillors.”
Cr Tony Hooper said that giving an individual a one-off $100 rates rebate would amount to them benefiting by less than $36 per quarter.
“Quite honestly, if we are going to be going down the track of supporting our community, whittling away at our cash reserves is the craziest thing we can do,” Cr Hooper said.
“This short-sighted political exercise, I think, will be seen for what it truly is.”
Mayor Josh Gilligan said one rebate would be permitted per Wyndham household.
“We know that COVID-19 has led to many members of our community doing it tough, and we want you to know that we’re here for you,” Cr Gilligan said.
Overall, the amount of rates revenue collected by the council under the 2020-21 budget will increase by two per cent, in line with state government policy.
