Policies

Compare the parties’ positions on the key issues this election. Explore their policies and see how closely they align with your own views and priorities.

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Rates and revenue

The work of local government is funded mainly by property taxes in the local area, known as rates. This makes up around 60% of council expenditure, with the rest coming from user charges, investment income, regulatory fees and roading subsidies. Councils can also borrow money to spread the cost of large investments such as infrastructure over a longer period of time.

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  • Ensure transparency in regards to rates, debt, project funding and council spending.

  • Apply financial prudence to ensure appropriate, sensible and efficient management of council funds and debt levels.

  • Advocate for rates affordability.

  • Seek and explore new sources of council revenue to reduce the financial burden on ratepayers.

  • Audit the appropriateness and charges of all development contributions to minimise costs of growth to the ratepayer.

  • Ensure that all council spending is both necessary and appropriate and monitor that resulting outcomes are effective.

  • Maintain my previous mayoral strength of financial prudence and "nickel and dime" scrutiny of all council expenses and spending proposals.

  • Press council to maximise Hanmer Pools financial performance to maximise surpluses, and effective distribution of such surpluses to offset rates.

  • Look to keep rate rises to a minimum with prudent decision making.

  • Support the wise use of revenue and utilise on community requirements with a "right first time" attitude.

  • Review the current rating system to ensure that anomalies are not skewing the rates and impacting the rates of those around them.

  • Ensure council investments are regionally relevant and give consistent returns in terms of value for money and increased quality of living.

  • Rates and rises are essential for the region's progress, so ensuring fiscal responsibility across council to get most value for money

  • Advocate for private sector infrastructure investment.

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