WERRIBEE residents will have to dig deeper into their pockets for a stinging 4 per cent rate rise in the coming year.

The significant increase was passed by the Wyndham City Council as part of the 2007-08 proposed budget last week.

The rise has been defended by the mayor, Shane Bourke, highlighting a $59 million Capital Works Budget to benefit the community.

However, the rate climb has been slammed by John Faranda, president of the Ratepayers Association of Werribee South.

“I’m just totally appalled at the council ... I think they should hang their heads in shame,” he said.

“Four per cent is a significant increase when there’s very little money allocated to Werribee South for funding of roads and other issues.



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“We have people living on roads that are suited to Third World countries and we don’t have the luxury of footpaths.

“When our kids go to kindergarten, we have to drive them into Werribee. Why can’t they build a kindergarten down here?”

Mr Faranda is particularly annoyed that the urban rate applies to Werribee South despite the majority of the population being farmers.

The farmers can apply for a 20 per cent rebate on their rates if they undertake land management issues such as rabbit control and removing noxious weeds.

But Mr Faranda laughs at this, saying few farmers qualify.

“We don’t have any weeds here, so how can we apply for something we’re already keeping clean?” he said.

Mayor Bourke pointed out the 4 per cent rate rise was expected to be below the state average and the council was committed to providing the best possible facilities for residents.

“The council has again set a very high target when it comes to its capital works program, which is likely to be one of the largest in the state,” he said.

“The proposed $59 million program includes over $19 million of road and pavement upgrades and $17.9 million of borrowings to fund the majority of the Wyndham Community Facility construction, Civic Centre redevelopment and the Cyanamid Street reconstruction, via a special charges scheme.”

Mayor Bourke said that with about 125 people moving into the municipality each week, the council must ensure there was a balance between this growth and infrastructure.

“It is a priority for Wyndham Council to ensure that the needs of the community are being met, whether it be through an upgraded road network, park improvement or new community centre,” he said.

Major projects proposed for capital works include:

THE continuation of works on the $7.8 million Wyndham Community Facility construction and the $14.7 million Civic Centre redevelopment.

THE completion of the $3.58 million Tarneit Community Centre.

THE construction of the Murnong-Boardwalk Community Centre.

THE replacement of the $50 million Werribee Olympic Outdoor Pool.

STAGE one of the Middle Ring Rd between Greens Rd and Ballan Rd.

LANDSCAPING and masterplan implementations at Grahams Wetland Reserve, Chirnside Park, Possy Newland Reserve, Wyndham Vale Reserve (Blackforest Rd Sth), Presidents Park, Werribee South Foreshore, Old Geelong Rd, Wyndham Vale Reserve, Grange Reserve, Heathdale Glen Orden Reserve and Lollypop Creek.

A public meeting to discuss the budget will be held on Thursday, 17 May, at the Youth Resource Centre, 86 Derrimut Rd, Hoppers Crossing, at 7 pm.