Wyndham council will increase rates by more than its neighbouring councils if its 2015-16 draft budget is approved.
The council is planning to lift rates by an average of 5.5 per cent from July 1.
Other western suburbs councils have kept their rate rises to less than five per cent, with some limiting the increase to less than four per cent.
Ratepayers in neighbouring growth area of Melton are likely to see their rates increase by 4.4 per cent. In Brimbank, rates will rise by
4.8 per cent. Hobsons Bay council is planning to lift them by 3.8 per cent, while Maribyrnong is considering a 3.7 per cent rise.
Residents have labelled Wyndham council’s plan as unfair and have called for the state government to fast-track plans for council rates to be capped at the consumer price index.
Under a state government plan, councils will need to apply to Local Government Minister Natalie Hutchins to raise their rates above CPI from July next year.
Werribee resident Michael Young said the introduction of a rates cap might be fairer for Wyndham.
Mr Young said he understood the council was increasing rates to provide new services and infrastructure for Wyndham’s growing population, but he did not believe it should be residents’ responsibility to pay for such things.
“Why should we be paying more than other areas when the increases in development are not our fault. We should be getting more money from the state government and developers,” he said.
Wyndham council chief executive Kerry Thompson said the council took community needs and priorities into consideration when determining rates.
She said the 5.5 per cent increase was consistent with the council’s long-term financial plan.
“The proposed rate increase will ensure there are sufficient funds to provide services, maintain existing assets and construct new infrastructure to meet the needs of our growing community now and into the future, as measured by the Victorian Auditor General’s Office financial sustainability ratios.”
