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Rates Claim WrongClaims by East Gippsland MP Craig Ingram that Latrobe City residents are the highest rated in the state have been rejected as ‘ridiculous’ by Latrobe City’s Chief Executive Officer, Paul Buckley. By news@gippsland - 8th July 2005 - Back to News The claims were made in an article published in Wednesday’s Weekly Times which quoted Mr Ingram as stating that Latrobe City has the highest ‘implied’ rate of all Victorian councils.
Mr Buckley said that far from being the highest rating council in the state, Latrobe City was in fact one of the best performers. The implied rate for Latrobe City is in fact 6.7%, not 16.6% as claimed by Mr Ingram.
"When the correct figure of 6.7% is applied it demonstrates quite clearly that Latrobe City has the lowest implied rating among the regional cities, the lowest implied rating in Gippsland, and the second lowest implied rating in the whole of regional Victoria," Mr Buckley said.
"Unfortunately, what we have seen here is flawed mathematics at the very basic level. It’s almost as bad as attempting to present a balanced household budget that includes all the income, but fails to take into account the largest expenditure item, the mortgage repayments. That’s how silly it is!" Mr Buckley said.
"In this particular case, the rate revenue quoted as part of the ‘implied rate’ has been correctly calculated including payments received from the power generation companies, but the figure quoted as the total municipal value of Latrobe City fails to include the power generators, so is short changed by a few hundred-million dollars.
"Because ‘implied value’ is based on dividing ‘rate revenue’ by ‘total valuation’, it stands to reason that if one figure is out by hundreds of millions of dollars, the answer one comes up with will be ridiculously out; and that is the case here," Mr Buckley said.
|
|
2 Year Average NAV Valuations
($) |
2 Year Average Rate Revenue ($) |
Implied Rate |
|
Incorrect figures quoted by Craig Ingram MP |
183,433,500 |
30,367,500 |
16.6 |
|
Correct figures for Latrobe City |
451,083,500 |
30,367,500 |
6.7 |
The Victorian Grants Commission from where Mr Ingram sourced his information, has confirmed Latrobe City’s implied rate is 6.7% not 16.6%.
Mr Buckley said that not only was Latrobe City placed at the lower end of the scale of implied rates, but Council had delivered one of the lowest rate increases in the state for the 2005-2006 financial year.
"Latrobe’s rate increase of 2.5% compares extremely favourably with figures released by the MAV for the rest of Victoria."
Mr Buckley said that the Member for East Gippsland, Mr Ingram, should apologise to the Gippsland community for quoting comparison figures without checking the facts, and as a consequence misleading the community.
"It shows a complete lack of understanding in fiscal matters on Mr Ingram’s part.
"Mr Ingram is quoted in the Weekly Times article as using figures supplied by Bruce Evans. Mr Evans is a colourful correspondent in East Gippsland with views on anything from the economic rationality of subsidies provided for public transport in Melbourne, to his opinion on removal of fruit bats from the Royal Botanical Gardens. In this case, the figures Mr Evans provided to Mr Ingram are clearly misleading. However, it is Mr Ingram’s responsibility to verify material he intends to use in the media before making it public.
"Mr Ingram and Mr Evans are not totally at fault in this matter though. The figures they are working from, which are clearly wrong, have been put together by the Victorian Grants Commission. The Victorian Grants Commission clearly needs to lift its game when providing statistical data," Mr Buckley concluded.
Media Enquiries:
Cr. Bruce Lougheed, Mayor, Latrobe City
tel. 0429 172 237
Cr. Darrell White, Deputy Mayor, Latrobe City
tel. 0417 377 645
Paul Buckley, Chief Executive Officer,
tel. 5128 5413 or 0418 512 997
Jeremy Bein, Public Relations and Communications Officer,
tel. 5128 5458 or 0407 862 977
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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Join the conversation this spring! Share your ideas on South Gippsland's future through community consultations, including Pre-Prep, Draft Plans, Governance Rules, and the 2026/27 Budget. - Two weeks left to join Darren Chester's 2026 #lovegippsland Calendar Competition celebrating iconic Gippsland
Two weeks remain to enter Darren Chester's 2026 #lovegippsland calendar competition, celebrating Gippsland's landscapes and talent. Entries close October 3, with winners featured among 30,000 distributed calendars showcasing 'Iconic Gippsland'. - Danny O'Brien warns Bayside Health merger threatens Gippsland communities, confirming hidden health service consolidation
Danny O'Brien criticises Labor's Bayside Health merger, warning it will reduce local hospital autonomy, limit community input, and risk services for Gippsland residents, prioritising bureaucratic cost-saving over patient care. - Have your say on key council plans, policies, and the future direction of South Gippsland through current engagement opportunities
South Gippsland Shire Council invites community feedback on key draft plans, policies, and the 2026/27 Budget, with in-person engagement opportunities and "Coffee with a Councillor" sessions in October. - Southern Rural Water upgrades over meters across Gippsland to improve accuracy and fair water management
Southern Rural Water is replacing 1,000+ outdated meters across southern Victoria by 2026, boosting accuracy, compliance, and fair water management under national standards - with no cost to customers. - Melina Bath slams Agriculture Minister Ros Spence for ignoring Gippsland farmers' struggles under Labor's tax regime
Melina Bath criticised Agriculture Minister Ros Spence for refusing to advocate for Gippsland farmers, citing VFF survey results showing overwhelming concern over new taxes and Labor's disregard for regional agriculture. - Darren Chester welcomes Minister Catherine King’s confirmation that the Eastern Beach Road intersection remains a priority
The federal government has increased funding to $6.6 million for the Lakes Entrance road safety upgrade, but Federal MP Darren Chester says state government delays continue to stall the vital project. - Darren Chester meets new BRHS CEO Peter Abraham to discuss future opportunities for East Gippsland Healthcare
Darren Chester met new BRHS CEO Peter Abraham to discuss healthcare challenges, commend local innovations improving patient care, and strengthen collaboration to deliver high-quality, accessible health services across East Gippsland. - Danny O'Brien announces finalised Loch Sport groyne designs, Gippsland Ports to seek tenders before Christmas
Erosion works on Loch Sport foreshore will begin next year, with designs finalised for new groynes. Danny O'Brien praised the community's persistence and vowed to push for further coastal protection. - Cr Nathan Hersey elected as Mayor and Cr Brad Snell as Deputy Mayor for South Gippsland and other council updates
Councillor Nathan Hersey was elected Mayor and Councillor Brad Snell Deputy Mayor of South Gippsland Shire for 12 months, marking Hersey’s second and Snell’s first term in these roles. - Darren Chester praises Orbost Community College student leaders for passion, ideas and commitment to East Gippsland's future
Darren Chester praised Orbost Community College student leaders for their passion and ideas during discussions on education, health, economy, and community, highlighting the importance of listening to youth for regional Victoria's future. - Have your say on the 2027 transition to Pre-Prep and help shape early learning in South Gippsland
South Gippsland Shire Council is seeking feedback from parents and carers to help shape how the Victorian government's 2027 Pre-Prep program is delivered locally to meet community needs. - Darren Chester praises Moogji Aboriginal Council for advancing health and sustainability in East Gippsland
Darren Chester visited Moogji Aboriginal Council in Orbost, praising its vital health, youth, and environmental programs that support East Gippsland communities and promote Aboriginal culture, wellbeing, and environmental sustainability. - Martin Cameron demands action as data reveals dangerous one-star safety ratings on Latrobe Valley roads
Nationals MP Martin Cameron has condemned the poor safety of Latrobe Valley roads, after state data revealed many key routes rated one or two stars, demanding urgent government action. - Darren Chester completes 19th Melbourne Marathon, joining 14,500 runners in iconic Gippsland sporting tradition
Darren Chester completed his 19th Melbourne Marathon, joining 14,500 runners. The sold-out event celebrated fitness and community spirit, with Chester inspired by marathon legend John "Dobbo" Dobson's 47th consecutive run. - Darren Chester welcomes $6.2M Traralgon Recreation Reserve redevelopment with upgraded facilities for Latrobe Valley sports clubs
Darren Chester welcomed the $6.2 million Traralgon Recreation Reserve redevelopment, providing modern changerooms and upgraded facilities through joint funding to support Latrobe Valley sports and long-term community participation.
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