HORSHAM Rural City ratepayers are now able to request their indicative rate revaluation information.
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Councillor David Grimble moved a motion, during a council meeting on Monday, to make the information more accessible. His motion came in response to a question submitted for public question time.
McKenzie Creek farmer Neville McIntyre asked council if individual revaluation information could be provided.
Corporate services director Graeme Harrison said valuations were not final until the valuer general’s approved them.
He said council could give this information but he did not support the idea.
“It’s important to note a differential is applied to a category of properties, not individual properties,” he said.
“In my opinion, this is bringing individual ratepayer’s circumstances into the discussion when the discussion around differential should apply to the sector.”
Cr Grimble said the motion could reduce the burden on ratepayers.
“It will give them reasonable guidance as to what their rates might be,” he said.
“They can prepare their budgets accordingly, allow them to make an appropriate submission and make adjustments in their own accounting of what we know will be an additional burden for farmers.”
Crs Mark Radford and Alethea Gulvin agreed to the motion’s merit, but wanted more information before making a decision.
“I can see the advantages, but I can feel Mr Harrison’s hesitance,” Cr Radford said.
Cr Grimble asked councillors to reconsider the need for information and think about the people they served.
“This is their information about their individual property. They are entitled to receive it,” he said.
Crs Grimble, Gulvin and John Robinson voted in favour of the motion while Crs Radford and Pam Clarke voted against.
Cr Les Power abstained from voting.
Cr Josh Koenig was absent.