‘Why should we pay for this?’ is the message coming from Councillor Vicki Coltman over the City of Ballarat’s upkeep of Crown land.
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Cr Coltman raised the issue at Wednesday’s council meeting during discussion over the quarterly finance report, which confirmed millions in borrowing forecast in the 2014-15 budget.
She said on Friday that the issue would stay relevant as the state government’s rate-capping plan comes into action next year.
“We’ve got a whole heap of Crown land, all over the city...and we receive very little funding from state and federal governments for maintain it,” she said.
“Black Hill’s a really good example. There’s been years of neglect. This council, with its rates (income) decided to spend $250,000 on it,” she said.
“(But) do we support a million dollars to fix up Black Hill? Something else will have to go, where will that million come from?”
Cr Coltman said council would look at reducing services and maintenance.
“We just can’t afford to mow (smaller parcels of Crown land), to fix them up. We might have to go from mowing twice a year to once,” she said.
The rate-capping legislation was passed by the Legislative Council during the week.
In a statement, Local Government Minister Natalie Hutchins said the cap would improve council accountability.
“Our Fair Go Rates cap won’t stop councils delivering the services and facilities their local community values and needs. What it will do is improve local government accountability and transparency, and ensure councils are listening to their communities,” she said.
“Council rates have been rising uncontrollably for too long. It defies logic why any fair minded Member of Parliament would vote to continue to inflict this on Victorian ratepayers.”
Ms Hutchins’ office has not responded to questions on Crown land responsibilities and funding.
alex.hamer@fairfaxmedia.com.au