Special charge query
In the July 18 edition of the Bellarine Times, there was an article concerning the sealing of 105 metres of Newcombe Street Drysdale. As per the article, the estimated cost was $132,768 with $38,724 being paid by Geelong Council with the remainder, $94,044, being paid via a special charge on the 10 properties to benefit from the sealing.
This special charge amounts to $9404 per property. The article went on to say that the special charge would be recovered over a period of five years, amounting to $1880 per year per property. This charge would be in addition to the normal rates charged. Geelong council is quite within its rights to
seek payment via a special charge because the properties receive a special benefit.
Compare this situation with the proposed market for Little Malop Street as outlined in the July 18 edition of the Geelong Independent. The article said that Geelong council had allocated $100,000 for a new funding initiative for a central Geelong market. The mayor, Stretch Kontelj, stated that the market would be “a big win for local designers, makers, artists, local musicians, and creative entrepreneurs”.
Now, this group would be receiving a special benefit from the council action, just like the ratepayers at Newcombe Street Drysdale. So, why are local designers, makers, artists, local musicians, and creative entrepreneurs not required to pay a special charge just like the property owners at Newcombe Street, Drysdale?
It seems that the principle of beneficiaries’ paying only works against some people who are easy targets, that is ratepayers. Is this just another example of government using public money to support private gain and justifying this by suggesting that the benefit trickles down to a very broad group, including the general public? Trickle down economics is a fallacy.
I have an alternative proposal for the mayor. How about you form a consortium of people who will benefit financially from the proposed market and have them pool their money to set up the market. This way, those who benefit pay, just like the property owners on Newcombe Street. This would also remove the need for Geelong Council to pay any ratepayers money into the project.
Ian Rouse,
Ocean Grove
