Aldermen are going to vote on a capital value rating system at this week’s Local Government Association of Tasmania annual general meeting.
Martin Gilmore, Editor of the Examiner, wrote a good article back on October 26 2012 saying this rating system is not perfect.
http://www.examiner.com.au/story/422959/new-rating-system-not-perfect/
In fact he went on to say it is a wealth tax because it is worked out on the capacity to pay rather than services like collecting rubbish and sweeping streets.
It was pointed out that councils have no idea about people’s ability to pay; their income, personal commitments, or number of children.
Because you go without to add a garage or do other improvements you are going to be rated higher than someone else that may not be house proud.
There is no rush to pass a capital value rating system unless people are going to be required to pay more; as in a grab for cash. This whole matter needs more thought and community input.
Councillors are urged to defer or vote against this motion otherwise we are going to see a lot of properties falling into disrepair. Why would you hire someone to carry out improvements, or do them yourself, if you are going to be penalised for doing them?
The building industry needs every job it can get or we will have more people out of work.
