By NICOLE VALICEK
ONE concerned ratepayer has claimed the newly elected council is not advocating on behalf of its community.
According to Cambridge Coburn and Watts Residents Association president, Nathan Miles residents have raised concerns that council is not listening to the community.
Mr Miles said rates were among a list of issues conveyed to council by the group.
He said late last year the group put forward a motion that council consider holding a rate forum for residents to raise its concerns and for council to hear them.
“The council responded and rejected the request,” Mr Miles said.
“We believe the rates need to be capped to a minimum or lowered.”
Melton City Council CEO Kelvin Tori said councillors understand residents concerns in respect to rates, but said capping rates, for a period of time would be a “financial risky strategy”.
“The level of rate increase should properly be determined as an element within the overall budget development process, and not be dealt with in isolation,” Mr Tori said.
Mr Miles said the group had supported a motion put forward by Cr Broden Borg to cap rates at the last council meeting that was defeated.
Mr Miles accused the council of “dismissing anything and anyone’s concerns” and said the biggest issue facing residents apart from the rates was “the state of the council”.
“The new council is completely dysfunctional. They can’t hold a council meeting, they’ve had police called to meetings, they’ve had meetings cancelled.”
“All we can do is continue to request that the council listens to the community.”
Mr Tori said a council meeting was cancelled due to the “disruptive behaviour” from members of the gallery, but said it was rescheduled.
He said council was working proactively to meet the challenges that confronted them in a rapidly growing municipality.
He said it was the task of an elected body to evaluate all submissions and make a decision based on what they believe to be the appropriate way forward for the “common good”.
