Plains Producer

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Wednesday March 23, 2011

STAR OF THE NORTH

‘Cap council rates’

Councillor to push for 3% maximum rise Les Pearson reports:

COUNCILLOR Owen Chapman will introduce a motion to cap Wakefield Regional Council’s rate revenue increases to a maximum of three per cent per annum at tonight’s council meeting. Cr Chapman, a Central ward councillor with the growing Balaklava township as its base, claimed in his submission ratepayers in recent years have absorbed rate increases well in excess of inflation, with an average increase of eight per cent over the past three years. “While this motion may restrict increased council spending…it will encourage cost saving and efficiency and bring rate increases and inflation much closer together,” he wrote in his notice of motion listed in the agenda. In a subsequent report, WRC corporate services manager, Steve Jonas, said council’s increase in rate revenue was targeting reducing large ongoing operating deficits.

Councillor Owen Chapman “If this Notice of Motion is carried, council would effectively be maintaining, rather than increasing, its general rates revenue in real terms and would result in operating deficits continuing for many years into the future,” Mr Jonas reported. The motion, to be debated tonight, headlines yet another full council agenda, which also lists four public deputations to be presented. n Continued Page 4 PICTURES: Lisa Redpath

Smoke-oh! FARMER Peter Freebairn is shown busy supervising a burn-off on his Alma property. Peter was anxious to get the job done on the 54 hectare paddock before the forecast rain which started last weekend. All was going well burning the canola wind rows when the wind changed

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direction slightly, sending the smoke wafting towards his home. “I had to call my wife and tell her to take the washing off the line,” Peter laughed. Recent rains, with Balaklava receiving about 20mm, will have farmers thinking about an early start to seeding.

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