Media Releases

Rates notices sent to 56,000 property owners

Greater Bendigo’s 55,962 ratepayers are reminded not to expect a uniform six per cent rate rise when they receive their rates notices in coming days.

A revaluation of properties undertaken on January 1, 2014 means some ratepayers will pay more than six per cent, while others could pay less.

Director of Organisation Support Marg Allan said this is because the rates people pay is determined by the value of their property.

To calculate your rates, the Council first determines how much rate revenue it needs to fund services and infrastructure for the Greater Bendigo community.

In 2014/2015, the Council has determined that it needs to collect six per cent more in rate revenue than in 2013/2014, but this does not mean that individual ratepayers will pay a uniform six per cent increase.

“Every two years Council is required under State Government legislation to revalue every rateable property in Greater Bendigo and this year is a revaluation year,” Ms Allan said.

Young people wanted for a happy project

The City of Bunbury is launching a brand new, exciting and most of all happy project for young people to get involved in.

The project will celebrate International Day of People with Disability as well as local young people’s diverse range of abilities and talents.

Bunbury young people of all abilities are encouraged to sign up to the City’s new Drug Aware Happy Bunbury film project.

The project has been inspired by the music video Happy by pop star Pharrell Williams.

Cities all over the world have started recreating the video which features residents dancing and lip-syncing to the song at various local landmarks.

This morning’s statement by Planning Minister John Rau on council assessment bodies calls into question the independence of the consultation supporting the independent review into planning reform.

Adelaide City Councillor David Plumridge, Deputy Chair of Council’s Planning Committee, said it was astonishing that the Minister, who is the ultimate umpire on planning reform, would make comments in the middle of the independent review process that could at the very least taint the process and possibly prejudice the outcomes of the review.

Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples

Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Straits Islander people is back on the Federal Government’s agenda and the Joint Select Committee appointed by the Australian Parliament to research, consult and prepare a report for the Parliament sat for one day in Katherine in August to consult and take evidence. Evidence was heard from Local government and a number of Indigenous organizations in the region.

Roper Gulf Regional Council’s Director of Council Services and Infrastructure, Sharon Hillen addressed the Committee and told them that Roper Gulf Regional Council supported the move to recognize Aboriginal and Torres Straits Islander in the Constitution and the repeal of racially discriminating clauses from the Constitution.