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Ratepayers Victoria Inc

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25.01.2022 Social housing project key points: The Government will centralise approval processes for the project, but says local councils will still be consulted. Social housing advocates say the move will prevent the projects from being delayed by "not in my backyard" objectors. The Municipal Association of Victoria is keen to ensure councils will still be able to appeal against decisions through VCAT.... "What it needs to mean for local communities is that they are not going to simply have development forced upon them without consultation." - Tim Smith https://www.abc.net.au//victoria-public-social-ho/12907336

25.01.2022 From Stonnington. Questions asked if council purchased a portrait (of the deputy Mayor) with ratepayer funds, or, if the painting was a gift, then why it was absent from the gift registry? The pamphlet alleges that a local developer was the donor. Can someone please check that the painting of the deputy Mayor, is one where he is wearing a surgical face mask?... https://www.theage.com.au//portrait-of-a-deputy-mayor-make

25.01.2022 Do you feel as if your local neighborhood is losing its character due to out of place/over development, or feel that the process has been somehow shot gunned? Investment banker John Wylie claims a Melbourne council is running roughshod over the community as he wages a legal battle over a five-storey apartment building. He also argues the permit may cause material detriment to owners and occupiers of residential land near the site, and he and others were not given direct ...notice of the application. The lack of notification also deprived Mr Wylie and his wife the ability to object to the permit application, they claim. We’re doing this not just for ourselves but for a whole group of very frustrated and angry local residents, Mr Wylie said. RPV hopes that this leads to positive outcomes in changes to the review process. https://www.news.com.au///be60a073b0bc3a579fa4e8171a68ca3c

22.01.2022 Councils must focus on the basics and help households and businesses recover

22.01.2022 Golden Plains shire have introduced further measures in dealing with Hardship during this isolation period. What has your council done?

22.01.2022 Representation is of utmost....

22.01.2022 Engage your councillors. Rate freezes should be across the state, let alone rate reductions.

21.01.2022 A 7 storey development in Seddon village. The council has allowed rules on zoning to make it easier for projects like these to go ahead.

21.01.2022 Stonnington City Council there are a lot more questions to be answered here

20.01.2022 Things are tough as they are, and now this council wants to remove street car parking to encourage more cyclists. Traders are up in arms, with warnings this will force them to close their businesses. Do they have their ratepayers and traders interests in mind? Who did Stonnington council consult with? Pictures from the Herald Sun in Stonnington Ratepayers & Residents post.

19.01.2022 3AW radio interview on the intended 2% rates raise by Stonnington City council. Times are tough at the moment, and while they are considering removing street parking on the Chapel St shopping district for bike lanes, this further proposal seems to go against any nuance that may emulate empathy for the community. https://www.3aw.com.au/council-slammed-over-rate-rise-amid/

19.01.2022 We now have 1K followers to this page. Thank you to all you fellow Victorian Ratepayers and Residents that want accountability, transparency, less waste and lower rates in their local councils. The fightgoes on.

19.01.2022 IBAC hearings into City of Casey to resume and incorporate ALL VIC planning " influences" and some NSW Council funding under question.....the Local Govt Sector needs a Clean up! https://www.governmentnews.com.au/corruption-probe-to-cons/ https://www.governmentnews.com.au/committee-demands-please/

19.01.2022 It seems that this Councils Covid hardship application form deliberately misleads homeowners by failing to tell them they have a legal right to apply to have their rates waived. The right to apply for a rates waiver is legislated in the Local Government Act: Section 171A Waiver by applicationfinancial hardship... (1) A person who (a) is suffering financial hardship; or (b) would suffer financial hardship if that person paid the full amount of a rate or charge for which he or she is liable ....may apply to a Council for the waiver of the whole or part of any rate or charge or of any interest imposed for late payment. The COVID-19 Application for Financial Hardship Form does not mention ratepayers rights to access waivers. There is a choice of either a payment plan or deferral of the due dates for the rate payment. Nowhere does it ask if the ratepayer would like to apply for a waiver. In other words, you may never know. The word 'may' is used plenty in the act. And there is yet another insult in this cavalier Council treatment of residents in financial distress. Councils have a right under the Municipalities Assistance Act to reclaim from State Treasury, all the funds theyve waived due to resident hardship. https://www.thevoterschoice.com.au//no-waivering-on-rate-c

18.01.2022 RPV interviewed earlier in the week on councils wasting time and money considering questionable local laws. I think this is because they dont strategically go and consult the vast majority of the community before they put these stupid decisions before council. This interview was conducted before the election announcement today.... #3AWNeilMitchell https://www.3aw.com.au/wasting-time-and-money-local-counci/ See more

17.01.2022 Anger as Melbourne councils refuse to freeze rates despite surpluses Councils across Melbourne are pushing ahead with rate rises, despite recording surpluses, as businesses and homeowners struggle to make ends meet amid the coronavirus pandemic. All but five of Melbourne's metropolitan councils are proposing 2 per cent rate increases this year, the maximum amount allowed under state law, despite mounting anger in some of the municipalities. Councils say lower parking fine rev...enue and the closure of facilities such as pools and community centres, which still need to be maintained, have put a dent in their budgets, while community needs have increased. Analysis of council budgets, some of which are still drafts, shows municipalities that are forecasting large surpluses this financial year are among those raising rates, including Wyndham ($157 million surplus), Whittlesea ($132 million), Hume ($119 million), Casey ($79 million) and Cardinia ($92 million). https://www.theage.com.au//anger-as-melbourne-councils-ref Campbell Spence, of Ratepayers of Port Phillip, said the council had spent more than $100 million a year more than neighbouring councils Stonnington and Hobson Bay. We believe the council has no respect for the ratepayers, he said. They are a massive bureaucracy. It doesn't serve the community and it wants to grow year on year. There's money wasted everywhere.'' Ratepayers Victoria president Dean Hurlston said councils should prioritise freezing or cutting rates over non-essential capital works projects. We live in times of severe financial distress for many businesses and residents who simply don't know how they will make their rates payments, he said Opposition local government spokesman Tim Smith called on all councils to freeze or cut rates. And if they won't do it, the Andrews Labor government must intervene to ensure that pressure is taken off ratepayers immediately, he said.

17.01.2022 The culture of non transparency that permeates numerous councils in Victoria is a menace to the fair government ratepayers deserve. One councillor in Surfcoast shire, has made key comments on this topic, and warns that even though a transparency policy is about to be adopted in her council, more vigilance is needed.

17.01.2022 Initially both the mayor and council chief executive Jacqui Weatherill, were coy and Cr Stefanopoulos declared it was from an anonymous donor. So The Age tracked down the artist, Anna Minardo, in Italy. Among her portrait subjects is Pope John Paul II. She confirmed that the Chandler work had been paid for by someone named Bill McNee. It had cost tens of thousand of dollars. When this information was relayed to Cr Stefanopoulos he responded Who's Bill McNee?, a curious r...esponse given the latters strong association with Stonnington. Mr McNee is a South Yarra resident and one of the most prolific and cashed-up developers in inner Melbourne, Stonnington particularly. https://www.theage.com.au//the-art-of-flattery-how-a-prope

16.01.2022 Looks like the former Casey mayor, at the centre of the Sandon investigation, is back in Australia. https://www.theage.com.au//former-casey-mayor-sam-aziz-ret

16.01.2022 Does this explain the higher increase in total staff wages approved by Councils in general? Apparently the CEO is allowed to grant bonuses to staff as they see fit - without telling Councillors!

16.01.2022 What is happening in your council's budget? Up 2%, same or down?

15.01.2022 We have long said these measures were a bandaid. Councils MUST learn to live within their means. They have become addicted to discretionary income like this and their entitled attitude must be called out by every ratepayer and business

15.01.2022 You did not-not get the memo...the government minister forgot to send the memo. But that's ok, it was on the radio....right next to flame trees by cold chisel. We sometimes wonder what other memos get missed. https://www.3aw.com.au/victorian-council-learnt-about-fire/

14.01.2022 Concern for those wanting to campaign their candidacy for local government, the field may not be that level. New restrictions have come in.

13.01.2022 Question time should be quality.

13.01.2022 https://www.facebook.com/groups/2712401562334986/permalink/2734772346764574/

12.01.2022 Suspected ballot tampering in Moreland. "The VEC became aware of the matter when a number of residents in the north-west ward requested additional vote packs after advising the VEC they had not received the initial voting forms in the mail," a spokeswoman said https://www.theage.com.au//moreland-council-vote-declared-

12.01.2022 Sky News Sky News Australia Ratepayers are sick of councils wasting money on social issues Stick to SERVICES please Stay in your lane

12.01.2022 Ratepayers Victoria will be on Sky News this evening. Paul Murray LIVE. Around 10pm

11.01.2022 Traders and residents have voiced their anger.

10.01.2022 To all prospective Councillors - From Monday 13th Sept SAFE CAMPAIGNING including letterbox drops will be permitted under current restrictions (metro melb) SEE ATTACHED (Rural VIC can be found there too)

10.01.2022 Regarding the Labor branch stacking earlier in the year... But while the headline number of membership cancellations is expected to be north of 1,000, there are concerns within the state branch that Bracks and Macklin have not gone hard enough in driving out the Somyurek forces during the period of administration. https://www.theguardian.com//labor-review-into-branch-stac

10.01.2022 Yes. It’s time to freeze or reduce rates to help aid household and business recovery! Councils must be sharing some of the responsibility.

09.01.2022 From WA, there is hustle in the local government sector. The term 'mission creep' is apt here.

09.01.2022 Three weeks after the sale of the lifestyle centre, Mr Aziz's then-wife had $21,000 deposited into her account by a company related to Action Realty. Mr Aziz said the $21,000 was merely the first stage of a loan to him, made by Mr Nehme as a friend, that eventually totalled $230,000. Discussing the payment later, though, IBAC counsel assisting Michael Tovey, QC, said invoices had been created in a bid to make the payments look legitimate. The whole thing was a sham, he said.... ....... If I was a City of Casey ratepayer I would want to know why on earth that land was sold in 2016 when it was a certified guaranteed commercial jackpot for the municipality for the next 17 years, said Mr Baxter. https://www.theage.com.au//ex-mayor-took-money-from-sheikh

08.01.2022 If you live in Stonnington....your rates are about to ....

08.01.2022 There is nothing more vital in local councils than TRANSPARENCY and access to information. This refusal to provide councillors information it outrageous and needs to be stopped

08.01.2022 We are deeply concerned that the Municipal Association Of Victoria (who represent incumbent councillors and councils, and not the ratepayer and resident VOTERS) are using their influence to delay elections by 12 months, subsequently helping their existing members stay in their councillor jobs.... With tens of millions a year in funding from councils (which is ratepayers money),only the public should have a say in any election deferral. Its disturbing because it runs against democratic process. The MAV deserves every ratepayer to demand that they no longer get any funding. DEMOCRACY IS A BASIC RIGHT 3AW Drive with Tom Elliott 3AW Melbourne - 693AM 3AW Breakfast Herald Sun 7NEWS Melbourne 9 News Melbourne The Terrier: Carol Altmann

07.01.2022 Surf coast council deferred consideration this week on its proposed transparency policy. Councillor Wellington has received support about a more open council. Example of a transparency policy used by London is in her post. Maybe your council can consider this too.... Feel free to post a know your council image, specifically from the governance section, and compare your council to others, on 'Council decisions made at meetings closed to the public" The one posted with the biggest difference/worse one, will earn a free annual single membership to Ratepayers Victoria.

06.01.2022 What is the transparency of your council? Come on people, the 'compare your council' website https://knowyourcouncil.vic.gov.au/compare-councils will help you compare KPI's in various areas with other councils. Post your screen grabs in the comments.... https://www.facebook.com/1509746131/posts/10223272828998230/ See more

05.01.2022 One of the most common things that we hear about councils is that they do not engage on a community level enough when they want to spend Ratepayers money. New clauses in the 2020 LGA, provide more robust proving criteria for council activity. Knowledge is Pow..... Knowledge Applied is Power.... https://engage.vic.gov.au//co-design-priorities-integrated From an LGV workshop.

05.01.2022 A parliamentary inquiry into the forced shutdown of a commercial kitchen in Dandenong South has slammed a council for failing in many aspects in its role as a regulator. In February last year, iCook Foods was closed by the Department of Health after it was blamed for a listeria case in a nursing home. Greater Dandenong Council then inspected the facility where food was prepared and hit the company with 96 charges, all of which were sensationally withdrawn at court in Octobe...r. One of the charges was related to a slug being found on its premises, something the company said must have been planted. Owner Ian Cook even hired a slug expert to cast doubt on the evidence, including the lack of a trail around the pest and the conditions that were not suited to slugs. Fiona Patten, who chaired the Legislative Council committees eight-week investigation, tabled a report on August 4, critical of the councils conduct and the states outdated Food Act. In short we found that the closure order was validly executed but that the framework in which the decision to impose the order was made and the processes that led to this decision were inadequate and that iCook Foods was not dealt with in a fair or consistent way, Ms Patten said. She said the council failed in many aspects in its role as a regulator. https://www.heraldsun.com.au//5497935fff8d6ebc39b72280643f Herald Sun Greater Dandenong Leader

05.01.2022 Just out from the minister's office. Local Government elections are going ahead in October.

04.01.2022 A former Frankston City Council manager has admitted to defrauding ratepayers out of $460,870, saying his actions were partly driven by insecurity about a relationship with his new girlfriend.

04.01.2022 A vote against debate is a vote against transparency.

04.01.2022 More from Stonnington council meeting, topic on the burger incident. This was not because the mayor ordered low carb and got regular bun. The question of private life comes into this, then why say you are the Mayor?... https://youtu.be/-O6I-atS0nA

03.01.2022 It's not just Maribyrnong ratepayers that are being misinformed. Verity from Yarraville has checked all 79 Councils. Good effort Verity! Only Dandenong City council mentions that homeowners can ask to have some or all of their rates waived. Just because it is not on council hardship form, ... does not mean that you do not, have the right to claim. See more

03.01.2022 Macedon Ranges CEO resigns. Plans for the CEO position will be announced at a later date. https://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au//macedon-ranges-shir/

02.01.2022 Legal action launched against Councillors from sacked CEO. So who should pay for the legal expenses racked up so far and those yet to come? Should it be the individual Councillors involved in the coup? ... Should it be ratepayers? In these difficult pandemic times, well, in the words of the terrier....there is a certain type of other storm coming. https://www.the-terrier.com.au/sacked-wcc-chief-launches-/

02.01.2022 Ratepayers Victoria is calling on all community members to look out for ANY political advertisements from existing or potential candidates that do not include proper authorisation. All campaign material must be properly authorised so it is clear who is accountable for it. An authorisation statement must include a name and a street address. Campaign material includes advertising, social media accounts and websites. If you see ANY form of political advertising without an autho...risation please take a photo and submit to us at [email protected] for more info on this at the Electoral Commission ; https://www.vec.vic.gov.au/candidates-and-parti/campaigning

02.01.2022 The driving force behind the Bass Coast Shire Ratepayers and Residents Association, Kevin Griffin, has resigned on the eve of the local shire elections. More below... https://sgst.com.au//ratepayers-president-has-sensationa/

02.01.2022 An open letter to all Victorian councillors sent today

01.01.2022 PROSPECTIVE CANDIDATE FORUMS URGENT The Municipal Association Of Victoria is running these forums. We have deep concerns that Registration requires YOUR NAME & EMAIL ADDRESS and THE COUNCIL you wish to run for. The MAV is a current COUNCILLOR/STAFF peak body and will have access to a list of prospective candidates that their members will be running against. No conflict there hey?... We suggest that you head to the VEC website for information for prospective candidates...we will seek clarification from the minister as to the appropriateness of this arrangement

01.01.2022 The minister is coming out with new wording on rate waivers. Ombudsman is helping out too. Let's see ....

01.01.2022 This is an example of a submission on a council budget. Goes for 6 minutes but worth the watch. https://fb.watch/6fOHGJEwz-/

01.01.2022 Below is an example of an objection to a refusal of an objection to a consulting company used by Maribyrnong city council. The argument goes.... If there is a time limit from when you have received your rates notice, to make an objection, and rate notices were late this year due to delays in postage....... Is it so unreasonable that a consideration of late postage in Covid times be made? We agree with the argument. https://www.facebook.com/groups/MRGrp/permalink/1555744881276589/