Hi everyone,
I have seen a few articles in the newspaper recently regarding Councils introducing split rates. Recently the Augusta – Margaret River Shire (WA) introduced a split rates system, which means owner occupiers pay less rates than investors, who’s rates have been increased.
In the West Australian newspaper yesterday (page 13) it seems now Port Hedland Town Council (North West WA) is looking at also introducing this system in 2005-06.
Has anyone had any experience of this type of rate increase happening with their investment properties? Is this common in other states?
Cheers,
JoDI have not heard of this system in Victoria. It does not make any sense to me unless they deliberately only want owner cuupiers in their area.
HI JoD,
Split rates are Augusta-Margaret Rivers attempt to get more money out of the numerous absentee landowners who the council believe are not carrying their weight in terms of financial contribution to the community – the argument goes something along the lines they stock up elsewhere and spend incidental amounts when there on holidays.
The Port Hedland matter is slightly different in that the Shire is in the ‘red’ and has been agitating for a number of years for Government and Mining Companies to contribute more to local government coffers.
As mining tenaments are not rated the Shire want to recoup some of the expenditure maintaining facilities with a high minig wear and tear rate.
A ‘levy’ on absentee landlowners in Port Hedland will hit the Government housing authority with its employees housing and mining companies in a back door attempt to prop up the Shire income levels.
Derek
[email protected]Property Investment Support Available. Ongoing and never stopping. PM welcome.
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