Noosa Council plans to refer about 800 ratepayer accounts, owing around $7 million, to a debt recovery agent this month. The accounts are at least 12 months overdue. Ratepayers with approved payment or hardship arrangements will be excluded from the first referrals. A council report to its October 15 meeting put total rates arrears at $11.7 million at September 30, down almost $3.9 million during the month. Residential properties account for most of the larger debts.
Cambridge council will consider a shark barrier at City Beach after a 31-tonne whale carcass washed up on its coastline. Deputy mayor Ben Mayes has proposed a desktop review of the barrier's feasibility, which would also examine costs and possible external funding. The removal operation is forecast to cost about $180,000, roughly three times the original estimate. Mr Mayes has called on the State Government to take primary responsibility for funding whale carcass responses across WA. The State's Treasurer has said the government is willing to engage with the town on the costs.
Residents of Leeton packed a church forum on Monday to question the mayor and general manager over a proposed special rate increase of up to 54 per cent. Critics blamed the costly redevelopment of the Roxy Theatre, now put at $15 million, for the rise. The council rejected this, saying the theatre was a minor share of the increase and that government grants paid for most of the work. The council says an independent review found its general fund was not financially sustainable.
AU Now app
Your suburb’s news, alerts and Shorts — in one app
Alerts, Shorts and your saved stories — free on Google Play.
IPART has set next year's rate rise for councils. The impact on individual ratepayers will vary according to the land valuation supplied by the NSW Valuer General.
The Town of Cambridge spent almost $180,000 removing a 31-tonne humpback whale that washed up on City Beach in Perth. Mayor Gary Mack said specialist cranes, operators and a sealed truck added unexpected costs. The carcass was taken to Red Hill landfill on October 1. A motion calling on the state government to fund future carcass removals is set for October 27. A state government spokesperson said removal costs fall to the local government that owns the land.
Cambridge ratepayers could face a bill of about $180,000 to remove a 31-tonne whale carcass from South City Beach. Deputy Mayor Ben Mayes has put forward a motion asking the State Government to take primary responsibility for funding whale carcass responses across WA. He also wants Cambridge reimbursed for the beach operation. The carcass washed ashore on September 28, and the removal involved specialist contractors and 76 council employees. The council is expected to decide on the motion at its October 27 meeting.
Albury councillors have voted 5-4 to defer consideration of a proposed rate rise of almost 30 per cent. The revised plan included annual increases of 14 per cent over two years, costing the average ratepayer an extra $375 a year. Councillor Jess Kellahan said the process had been flawed and council should first identify its true financial position and savings. Ratepayers and residents have called for further cuts before any increase. The decision defers the matter until April or May 2027.
Darwin City Council will lead a trade delegation to Guangzhou in China and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam in December. Lord mayor Peter Styles will lead the mission, which will cost about $18,000 in ratepayer funding. Council general manager Alice Percy said the trip could bring about $250,000 a year into the local economy. The council raised rates by 5.5 per cent earlier this year and postponed its pre-cyclone clean-up. A former lord mayor and local residents questioned whether the trip was a good use of money.
