A Tuross Head resident does not support council’s proposed special rates variation and believes less than half of the extra rates fee will go to the current infrastructure backlog.
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Lei Parker said the list of community infrastructure projects set out by council in the Funding Our Future Brochure should be funded regardless of a rate rise.
The brochure lists infrastructure projects which Eurobodalla Shire Council would fund if the proposed special rate variation (SRV) is successful.
Mr Parker understands only half of the projects proposed are backlog projects, the other half are new projects with no priority.
“This means we are still left with a backlog that will have to be addressed with another rate rise,” he said.
Council’s list of priorities for the Tuross community include minor deck upgrade at Kyla Hall, Kyla Oval storage and toilet upgrade, Foreshore reserve seating and upgraded beach access at One Tree Point.
Mr Parker said the seating at One Tree Point was not in need of replacing and would cost council $33,000.
“This is a waste of money,” he said.
“They don’t need replacing and have all been donated by the community.
“Why didn’t they think to nominate some of the existing park furniture in Tuross that actually does need replacing?”
Mr Parker believes none of the projects listed as priorities for Tuross warrants a 26 per cent increase in rates over three years.
“No project in Tuross currently warrants a rates increase because they don’t have that urgency,” he said.
“As a community we are going along really well and if we need to we will raise the money for a skate park, like we did for our basketball court.”
He said the top three priorities recently identified by the community were the completion of the cycleway from Coila Beach to the Tuross Head Country Club, a viewing platform at One Tree Point and the pathway from Tuross Boulevard to Monash Avenue finished.
“I do not support the special rates variation at all,” Mr Parker said.
“Not until council can show an improvement in its management.
“Until they can prove they will effectively manage the special rate variation increases to the benefit of the community I will not support it.”
A petition against the SRV has been placed in the Tuross Newsagency.
Eurobodalla Shire Council mayor Lindsay Brown and general manager Catherine Dale will attend a SRV information session in Tuross on Saturday, November 22 at Buffers Café between 9am and 11am.
Mr Parker hoped the community will inform themselves on the issue.
“I hope they will come with a neutral line of thought and ask questions of their concern,” he said.
