Residents disappointed with rates rise

Jeff Chapman, who helped organise a 2600-signature petition calling on council to link rates rises to the Consumer Price Index, said the rise was excessive.

"Everyone that signed this will be disappointed," he said.

"This is related to the state and federal governments getting their piece out of us and the council getting their piece.

"We haven't heard back from council regarding what way they went about getting this one per cent so I'll be looking forward to hearing how they went about it."

Under the Budget terms, the average homeowner will now pay $1497 in rates, up from $1449 last year.

However, Councillor James Williams defended the five per cent rates rise, saying the money would be used to fund vital infrastructure projects that would benefit the community.

These included a new social pavilion at Canterbury Park and refurbishing the Barrack Reserve Pavilion in Heathcote, he said.

"The five per cent is a reduction in the six per cent from last year," he said.

"It's a responsible way (of reducing rates) and allows us to maintain critical services and quality infrastructure."

Cr Williams said the council was mindful of people's concerns about rates rises, and had considered their views when devising the draft Budget. 

He said the council's long-term vision was to raise rates by six per cent this year, but councillors amended this to five per cent based on the petition and community views.

He said the council had considered abandoning some planned projects and had indeed decided not to push ahead with some proposals to limit rates rises.

He said council would gradually lower rates rises in the future, in a "fiscally responsible" manner.