Other ways of increasing rate revenue within cap
In relation to the State Government capping rate increases to 2% for our City Council, the city has avenues to increase rate income in other areas. Developers have gifted the city with new subdivisions where the home buyers have paid for the new roads, footpaths and the kerb channels and drainage. The cost to council is for garbage collection only, while a thousand or more new homes add $2000 per home or so in rates as additional rate revenue per year.
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Revaluation is another door to increased rate revenue and as Melbourne home values are double the cost of homes in Ballarat, the door is open to get more rates by revaluation. The question l ask is to give us the total rate revenue for last year as against total rate revenue for this year. An increase would not surprise me that was way above the level the State Government rate cap allows.
Don Woodward, Brown Hill
Grey areas of life and death
The Victorian government, determined to introduce legalised euthanasia, assures us there will be strict "safeguards". Do they believe those safeguards will be adhered to long-term?
The problem with mercy-killing is that it is killing. It isn't letting the patient die or letting the patient refuse treatment, which are legal already. On the other hand, discontinuing medical procedures that are burdensome or disproportionate to the expected outcome can be legitimate. Using painkillers to alleviate sufferings, even at the risk of shortening their days, can be acceptable if death is not the intention, but is only foreseen and tolerated.
Arnold Jago, Nichols Point
History repeats: hotels still contentious
At two public meetings on our rail precinct, the public gallery was seeking a bus and taxi hub, plus museum and cafe. This appears to have hit a bluestone wall. The expert panel listened but it appears the hotel plan is past the turning back stage from the start. The hotel plan was attacked from every angle, except the historical Bentley's Eureka Hotel saga. One wonders what the trigger point is for a revolution nowadays.
Alas, a hotel is more profitable than a museum, but rich history makes a city more livable, lovable and stayable. We need another pub like Scott Morrison needs another multibillion $ hole in his budget or The Courier needs an opposition newspaper to start up in town. At least The Courier looks safe, but the budget doesn't. We have progressed from a hotel with apartments to apartments with a hotel attached; just sounds nicer in camouflage.
At the meeting outset we were told of no audio recording allowed so l asked, "Why not?" Answer: it is not protocol. Websters: protocol - The ceremonial forms and courtesies that are established as proper and correct in official intercourse between heads of state and their ministers. It would appear that "unofficial intercourse is out". I would say it has officially happened! We were allowed to make full submissions and handover photocopies of our plans and aspirations, destiny unknown. At least we were heard.
Proceedings stalled twice as an unidentified lady from the gallery, at whim and without asking the chairman for a stay of proceedings, whispered in a panel member's ear as we all waited patiently. This seemed a little unorthodox.
Now here comes the pub as buses are relegated out into the street. The redeeming factor is that you cannot drink alcohol nor play pokies on a bus, but you sure can in a pub. It appears that Spring Street can spring this scene onto us. VicTrack need to get the public on board and not just their peak trains. Their track record has lost money since 1928 and now their expertise steers us towards a hotel financial business case.
Colin Holmes, Ballarat