Cr Phil Wright By Catherine Watson
AS HE does every year, Bass Coast councillor Phil Wright voted against this year’s shire budget. He believes we should double our rates and spend twice as much on services and infrastructure.
“My fellow councillors seem to think they’re being generous to people on low incomes by keeping rates low,” he said at Wednesday’s council meeting. “Nothing could be further from the truth.
“Rates are a great way to raise money because the person living in the small house pays much less than the person living in the $2 million mansion who might only use it three or four times a year.”
AS HE does every year, Bass Coast councillor Phil Wright voted against this year’s shire budget. He believes we should double our rates and spend twice as much on services and infrastructure.
“My fellow councillors seem to think they’re being generous to people on low incomes by keeping rates low,” he said at Wednesday’s council meeting. “Nothing could be further from the truth.
“Rates are a great way to raise money because the person living in the small house pays much less than the person living in the $2 million mansion who might only use it three or four times a year.”
| While his fellow councillors looked on somewhat sceptically, Cr Wright explained his position. “If you ask people if they want to pay higher rates, of course they’ll say no. People and councillors have been brainwashed to think that keeping rates low is the most important thing. We just follow the same path as every other council. “Higher rates are not a burden on ratepayers, they’re an investment in our children’s future. If we as a council got twice as much rates income we could do so much more.” Following the meeting – where Cr Wright had no success in convincing his fellow councillors – the Bass Coast Post asked Cr Wright what he’d spend an extra $70 million rates on. | A spare $70 million It would be political suicide for any council to double its rates, but it’s an interesting thought. Imagine if we had an extra $70 million to spend this year. An aquatic centre at Phillip Island? No worries, and build a new one at Wonthaggi while we’re at it. We could finish off the Cowes Cultural Centre, do up the Wonthaggi Arts Centre, complete the Rescue Station arts co-op. We’d construct a bike and walking track around Phillip Island, another along the coast from Wonthaggi to Inverloch, build the much-needed children’s centre in the Bass Valley, , and still have money to spare to fill in a few potholes and fix a few footpaths. |
“Every community achieves its best potential by improving the health and education of lower-income families,” he said. “The best way to assist the broad community is to create a strong sustainable economy with employment improving the quality of life for all.”
Phillip Island is the key, he believes. If we get that right, the spoils will flow across the shire. “The long-term vision must be to create a world-renowned coastal reserve from French Island to Foster for families to go journeys over days staying at small boutique hotels, backpackers, jazz clubs and surf schools. The key is to separate the walkers and riders from cars and encourage them to be immersed in magnificent Bass Coast and its environs.”
Phillip Island is the key, he believes. If we get that right, the spoils will flow across the shire. “The long-term vision must be to create a world-renowned coastal reserve from French Island to Foster for families to go journeys over days staying at small boutique hotels, backpackers, jazz clubs and surf schools. The key is to separate the walkers and riders from cars and encourage them to be immersed in magnificent Bass Coast and its environs.”