FARMERS have praised Cardinia Council plans to keep their rates lower than townspeople but are concerned about the dumping of the municipal charge.

Cardinia VFF president David Young applauded the council’s commitment to a rating system that recognised farmers, saying it did not happen in other areas, including nearby Casey.

Mr Young said it was vital that farmers, suffering unprecedented drought hardship, were not penalised when it came to setting rates.

Mr Young was concerned that council’s decision to remove the $50 charge on all properties might hurt rural ratepayers.

“We’re also concerned about the rate rise,” he said.

Cardinia’s draft budget forecasts an average rate rise of seven per cent.

Mr Young said many farmers had assets that looked good on paper but were “income poor” and needed all the support they could get to remain on the land.

“Farmers carry a high rate burden and are generally asset rich but income poor,” he said.

“I can understand rates going up in the growth corridor because people get to use the services they pay for, services that people in the rural communities don’t always have the opportunity to take advantage of.

“But we all drive on roads and it is pleasing to note that will take up a major part of council expenditure, as it should.”

Cardinia manager of governance and communications Doug Evans said most farmers’ rates would not rise by seven per cent but would in fact have a lower increase.