Federal changes unlikely to reduce chance of rate rise
 Baw Baw News   By // 22:18, Saturday 20 September 2014

joe hockey from joe hockey website

THE repeal of the carbon tax and freezing of the superannuation contribution rate are unlikely to reduce the chance of rate increases for people in Baw Baw.

Above: Federal treasurer Joe Hockey at the dispatch box. Image: Joe Hockey website.

This article was first published in the 12 September 2014 edition of the Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen. Get your copy now for even more news and entertainment.


ADVERTISEMENT

A spokesperson for the Baw Baw Shire Council told the Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen the council never passed on any costs associated with the carbon tax to ratepayers.

“It was never a separate item in council’s budgets and any impost was absorbed,” the spokesperson said.

“The main area of exposure for councils is landfill.

“Baw Baw uses Latrobe City Council’s Hyland Highway Landfill. As this landfill receives less than 25,000t equivalent of CO2 emissions, it is exempt from the carbon tax and the disposal fee we pay to Latrobe City Council does not include any Carbon Tax component.


ADVERTISEMENT

Director of Corporate Services and Organisation Development Shane Cagney said the freezing of super contributions at 9.5 per cent of salary for seven years would also not affect the council’s budget in any way.

“Given that the present federal government was elected 12 months ago on a platform of winding back the mining tax and its associated spending, council had not factored superannuation increases into its Long Term Financial Plan,” Mr Cagney said.

“The 2015/16 and 2016/17 budgets will now be framed in light of these changes.”

The super rate had been due to increase to 10 per cent next year before the federal government made the changes with the support of the Palmer United Party earlier this month.

 Get free email updates from the Baw Baw Citizen 

 Read more Baw Baw News  

One response to “Federal changes unlikely to reduce chance of rate rise”

  1. Daniel says:

    If the carbon tax was absorbed by council, them why did my rates increase by $500-$600 the year the carbon tax came in. And why have rates increased by 40% in the last five years. At this rate we’ll all need to get personal loans to pay our rates. It’s a disgrace.