By AIDAN KNIGHT

 

BETWEEN last week’s (25/06) press deadline and the printing of the Express, the article regarding the Farm Differential Rate contained on Page 9 became quickly out of date.

This came as Latrobe City Council announced via Gippsland FM on Tuesday morning, that the proposed new rate be included within the 2025/26 draft budget.

Council stated ahead of last Monday’s (June 30) monthly council meeting at Kernot Hall, that the proposed changes to the existing Farm Rate Differential recommend by officers “that council not implement the proposed changes to the criteria, instead revert back to the existing criteria”.

This comes after extensive community feedback, which trended that many residents and farmholders were upset with the external metrics of what substantiated a farm, or one of “substantial commercial purpose”.

However, it remains up to councillors to discuss and decide a motion to decide the outcome of this formally proposed change, taking into account this new recommendation from council officers.

This was the second type of differential rate to put Latrobe City Council under fire at the June 30 meeting, as there was registered speakers attending from the Dalkeith Heights Residents Association, making their second public submission for the differential rate for retirement villages (the meeting was held after the Express went to press).

The residents association, much like the Farm Ratepayers Association, feel as if they have been viewed as a demographic more profitable than valuable by council, and “would prefer to work with them than against them to figure out what’s fair”, as said by repetitive Ben Guzzardi in a previous chat with the Express.

Leeanne Duncan, secretary of the Latrobe City Farm Ratepayers Association, sees council as overlooking the more important issues within their rates agenda, saying “that rates team and attitude has to go”.

Ms Duncan also went on to say she was pleased that council does acknowledge the submissions made, which can lead to positive progress.

Further coverage and fallout from the meeting will be included in next week’s issue.