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Work continues on rates equity

8 Dec, 2022

Ongoing work to deliver a more equitable rating system for Wodonga home and business owners will continue, following the appointment of members of the council’s Revenue and Rating Plan Reference Group.

The group, which is made up of two councillors, seven community members and the council’s Interim Director Corporate Services, Susanne Andres, will help to draft a new revenue and rating plan for the city.

The members are:

  • Cr Graeme Simpfendorfer as Chair;
  • Cr Olga Quilty;
  • Angela Collins;
  • Chris Phillips;
  • David Brown;
  • Greg Haysom;
  • Mike Fraser;
  • Ray Snell;
  • Simon Fisher; and,
  • Interim Director Susanne Andres.

The group will be supported by key council staff in an advisory capacity.

Ms Andres said the group would be tasked with ongoing work to provide community input into how rates are levied in the 2023-2024 budget.   

“The whole rating revenue for council will remain unchanged but the reference group is examining how that rating burden will be distributed equitably across the community, which is why we want that input from them,” she said.

More information about the rating system can be found here and here.   

The group will meet from December 2022 and in early March 2023, is expected to present a report to council for consideration in the budget preparation.

In another significant appointment, the chair of the council’s Audit and Risk Committee, David Pendleton, has been returned to the position, following a public advertising process.

The committee is responsible for ensuring good governance of the council, with high-level oversight of processes, including financial reporting, risk management, fraud prevention and policy and legislative compliance.

“It not only assures the councillors, but also the community, that this is a well-run organisation that operates in accordance with good governance principles and regulations,” Ms Andres said.

“The committee helps to proactively identify and manage any risks that the council may face, again providing the assurance that that oversight is in place to protect the organisation and the community.”

  • Cr Olga Quilty;
  • Cr Ron Mildren;
  • Chair David Pendleton;
  • Robyn Gillis; and,
  • David Kortum.

Made up of three independent members and two councillors, the Audit and Risk Committee met on 8 December 2022. 

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