19 August 2004
Three or five year
"rolling" valuations may replace annual
valuations for Council property taxes if a
proposal from the Local Government
Association gains Council and Parliamentary
support.
The move would be aimed at protecting
ratepayers from volatile annual property
valuations by averaging valuations used to
calculate rates over more than one year.
A special meeting of the LGA State
Executive Committee today endorsed a
comprehensive package to address ongoing
concerns about Council rates including the
use of "rolling" valuations.
LGA President, Cr John Legoe said the
package was aimed at improving the fairness
of Council's only tax, identifying
short-term options which could see
Legislative amendments before the next
rating period, and more detailed research
into Council funding, infrastructure and
service issues.
"The Local Government leadership is
committed to finding the fairest possible
system," he said.
Cr Legoe said the package which the LGA
would take to State Government, Councils and
the community would include:
- An independent inquiry into the
sustainability of funding for Local
Government;
- A review of the relationship between
valuations and property taxes;
- An independent audit of Council
processes;
- Development of an index of movements
in Council's costs;
- A review of Council complaint
mechanisms and visibility of the
Ombudsman's role;
- A proposed State/Local Financial
Reform Agreement to address 'cost
shifting'; and
- A campaign to achieve equity in
Commonwealth funding to SA Councils.
"The meeting believed Councils have
virtually exhausted the current options in
the Act and that changes are possible before
the next rating year," he said.
The package would be circulated widely
for comment on immediate options and on the
form of the independent inquiry, and its
terms of reference.
"Answers will depend on Parliamentary
support and feedback from people who have
been hit by the impact of sharply rising
house values on property taxes," he said.
"There is no doubt that these issues have
challenged Councils across the State but I
am heartened that Local Government's leaders
are committed to finding solutions."
Cr Legoe said that documentation on the
package would be finalised next week and
made available widely for comment. Prior to
the meeting Cr Legoe met with 7 Members of
Parliament who had expressed concerns
regarding the impact of Council rates.
