OAKVILLE resident Vicki Vella’s rates bill has risen by more than $2500 and is one of many ‘asset rich, cash poor’ residents from the area.
In June, when Hawkesbury Council passed its budget, it also made changes to the ratings structure, which, in short, made land value play a much greater part in determining rates.
Many residents across the Hawkesbury would have seen a decrease in their rates, however, many in Oakville have seen their rates skyrocket.
In December, the NSW Valuer-General gave Oakville land values a hefty increase, which has contributed to such high rates.
Oakville’s Vicki Vella is one of those people. She said for the 2016-17 financial year her bill was $1999.61, but for 2017-18 it was $4491.55.
Vella said she was not blind to the fact her land was worth a lot of money, but said that value was a moot point because she had no intention of selling her property.
“We are normal people that have basically struggled to pay off a mortgage, just like anybody else who works five days a week - my husband actually works six days a week,” she said.
Liberal councillor Sarah Richards said rates in Oakville were simply unfair.
“People say that these landowners should be happy with their increased land value as it gives them more choice. I find this so unsympathetic. It is the classic case of asset rich, cash poor,” she said.
“If their only choice is to sell and move from where they love to live, that really isn’t choice at all.”
Hawkesbury Mayor Mary Lyons-Buckett defended the changes made in June.
She said the vast majority of residents received a rates decrease and Oakville was a small percentage of the population on the fringe of a major growth sector.
“Council voted to support a model which was considered the fairest across our local government area,” she said.
“Unfortunately due to an increase in land valuations, in some cases tripled, in some parts of Oakville they have received a significant increase.”
Vella begged what Oakville residents would receive in exchange for an increase in rates.
“We don't get what residents get. We don't get parks, kerb and guttering, we have potholes everywhere,” she said.
Several residents have banded together to form a group called the Oakville Progress Association. The first meeting will be held on August 10 at Oakville Public School at 8pm.
There is a Notice of Motion before Hawkesbury Council on August 8 regarding changing the rates structure for 2018-19.
