By Charlene Macaulay
More than 5000 Wyndham ratepayers experienced bill shock last week when they received a letter telling them their rates for the current financial year could skyrocket by up to 50 per cent.
Wyndham council sent letters to the property owners to advise them that, based on an early review of property valuations, “we anticipate that you may experience an increase of around 20 per cent to 50 per cent in your council rates for the 2018-19 financial year”.
Many residents took to Facebook last week to express their shock at receiving the letters.
Writing on the Wyndham Residents United page, Gary wrote: “It’s an absolute disgrace that it’s allowed to increase so much in one year.”
In a post on his mayoral Facebook page, Peter Maynard said the letter was sent out to about five per cent of Wyndham property owners “who are likely to see an increase in their rates due to the significant increase in the value of their properties”.
“Importantly this doesn’t mean that council is collecting more in rates – it changes who is paying more and who is paying less,” he said. “Last year, we collected $169.7 million in rates and in this financial year we’ll collect $173.5 million in line with the rate cap of 2.25 per cent.”
Cr Maynard said about 35 per cent of ratepayers would pay lower rates.
Wyndham chief financial officer Binda Gokhale said the letter was sent to about 5400 ratepayers – about five per cent of Wyndham property owners – predominantly to households in Werribee and Hoppers Crossing.
“The decision to send these letters was based on community feedback that residents would prefer to be given more notice that their rates may be going up, rather than finding out when they receive their rates,” she said.
The council will host information sessions on August 23 and 29.
Details: 9742 0777
