RCow rates move against St John's units

Source: Wangaratta Chronicle 12 Nov 08

Council move to cash in on St John’s has residents up in arms

Written by PhilIp Nolan.

A PROPOSAL to impose individual property rates at St John’s Terrace has shocked and angered elderly residents.

The Rural City of Wangaratta is currently investigating the possibility of imposing rates on the 216 "independent living" units, despite the fact the village was declared rate exempt when it was first set up back in 1968.

And claims by council officers that the proposal is little more than "a preliminary investigation" have done little to placate worried residents.

St John’s Village chief executive officer, Joe Caruso, said his board was firmly of the view the units should remain rate exempt, while Ken Jasper (MLA, Murray Valley) has also backed the residents, saying a move to impose rates would be "very disappointing".

All residents are aware of the council proposal, and have been actively contacting sitting councillors with a view of winning their support.

Eric Van Leeuwen, a former long serving Shire of Oxley secretary and current St John’s Terrace resident, said the council proposal had caused a lot of concern among residents.

"People have moved into the village for security and peace of mind," he said.

"Many out here are on pensions and the prospect of an extra cost burden on them is a real worry.

"The residents have been emailing and ringing councillors, but the response we have been getting is the matter is in the hands of council officers.

"We are being left in the dark, and it is very disappointing that councillors don’t seem to be supporting us."

The council’s business services director, Ray Park, confirmed yesterday that an investigation into the legalities of the situation was under way.

"The issue came up during the recent revaluation of the city," he said.

"We have had discussions with St John’s and they maintain their stance that the village has always been rate exempt.

"There are a number of issues involved, and we are going through the process of examining all of those at the moment."

However, Mr Caruso was in no doubt that the village was legally on firm ground.

"The decision to make St John’s rate exempt was endorsed by the old Shire of Wangaratta on August 21, 1968, and that was for 16 independent living units," he said.

"It was based on a legal opinion by the late Arthur McSwiney, and it has been that way ever since.

"The first we heard of this was when council contacted us wanting to carry out valuations of all the homes.

"It was pretty obvious then what they were thinking.

"The board is very firm in its opposition to any change to the current status.

"Our independent living units are part of a wholistic, three tier approach to aged care, which we provide as a not for profit, charitable organisation.

"We are a lot different in that respect to other privately operated retirement villages."

Mr Jasper confirmed he had received representations from village residents and had also had preliminary discussions with the village board.

"I am certainly concerned at the implications for residents, many of whom are on pensions," he said.

"My view at this stage is it would be wrong to impose residential rates on them."