Residents from Vineyard, Maraylya, and Cattai have joined their Oakville neighbours in the fight against rates hikes.
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A statement from Oakville Progress Association said a large group of ratepayers gathered outside Hawkesbury council chambers prior to the mayoral vote on Tuesday, September 18 to protest rates increases of what they said was up to 380 per cent.
“Some elderly residents said they were fearful of losing their homes because of out-of-control rates rises,” the statement said. “Many had made protest signs and brought them along to display in the council chambers during the meeting.”
Oakville Progress Association representative, Matthew Marshall said residents of Maraylya, Cattai and Vineyard had approached the association to see if something could be done about the “most unfair rates distribution in the history of the Hawkesbury”.
Association members responded by expanding the Oakville Progress Association to invite residents of Maraylya, Cattai and Vineyard to join.
“We would like to be able to give these residents a voice in the fight for fairer rural rates in our part of the Hawkesbury,” Mr Marshall said. “The number of residents who are angered by these rate increases is growing by the day, as rates climb higher and higher, with another 31% rate increase on its way.
“Families are struggling and the elderly are sick with worry about where they are going to get the money from to pay Hawkesbury council.”
