Dear Lionel,Subject: RE: Important request concerning Brighton Rating Method
I hope you accept my response instead of Ron Sanderson due the urgency of your requested reply. Ron is caught up in meetings and unavailable for comment in the short term.
Brighton Council is encouraged by your support of the “Brighton fairer rating model”. We have widely consulted our community and undertaken an extensive survey which shows overwhelming support for our rating method within our community. George Town Council and Glamorgan Spring bay have also now adopted a similar flat rating model for residential properties and other councils are now progressing towards a flatter structure. We believe our model to be a fairer and more transparent method as well as totally eliminating the rating volatility that occurs with property based residential rating following revaluation. However, only the residents of Launceston know what is best for them and we would support whatever method they wish to adopt.
This is our 5th year that Brighton has adopted the fairer rating model. We believe we are on sound legal footing and are encouraged by supporting legal advice. I am sorry that we are not able to distribute specific legal advice due to confidentiality issues. We accept that there is varying legal opinion to rating methodology across Tasmania (not just ours) due to the complexity of the Local Government Act. Perhaps Launceston City Council should seek alternate legal advice.
Brighton Council is also encouraged by comments from the government during a recent debate on rating legislation in the upper house where the government now supports the outcome of Brighton rating policies for their community and wants to make sure it is placed on a firm legislative foundation. This has been promised before the end of the calendar year. It is fortuitous for Launceston City Council to have two aldermen in the legislative council.
If Alderman have any doubt as to the legislative certainty of the “Brighton Fairer Rating Model” then they are in a position to introduce or support change that will provide that legal certainty.
Regards
GREGORY DAVOREN BCom
DEPUTY GENERAL MANAGER
1 Tivoli Road, Gagebrook TAS 7030
www.brighton.tas.gov.au
Brighton Council is encouraged by your support of the “Brighton fairer rating model”. We have widely consulted our community and undertaken an extensive survey which shows overwhelming support for our rating method within our community. George Town Council and Glamorgan Spring bay have also now adopted a similar flat rating model for residential properties and other councils are now progressing towards a flatter structure. We believe our model to be a fairer and more transparent method as well as totally eliminating the rating volatility that occurs with property based residential rating following revaluation. However, only the residents of Launceston know what is best for them and we would support whatever method they wish to adopt.
This is our 5th year that Brighton has adopted the fairer rating model. We believe we are on sound legal footing and are encouraged by supporting legal advice. I am sorry that we are not able to distribute specific legal advice due to confidentiality issues. We accept that there is varying legal opinion to rating methodology across Tasmania (not just ours) due to the complexity of the Local Government Act. Perhaps Launceston City Council should seek alternate legal advice.
Brighton Council is also encouraged by comments from the government during a recent debate on rating legislation in the upper house where the government now supports the outcome of Brighton rating policies for their community and wants to make sure it is placed on a firm legislative foundation. This has been promised before the end of the calendar year. It is fortuitous for Launceston City Council to have two aldermen in the legislative council.
If Alderman have any doubt as to the legislative certainty of the “Brighton Fairer Rating Model” then they are in a position to introduce or support change that will provide that legal certainty.
Regards
GREGORY DAVOREN BCom
DEPUTY GENERAL MANAGER
1 Tivoli Road, Gagebrook TAS 7030
www.brighton.tas.gov.au
1 comment:
I wonder how Ivan Dean is going to try to explain all this away?
He is so sure of his position and seems to believe that the city's ratepayers are dumb. If as he says Brighton and other councils are acting illegally why hasn't the Attorney General taken action? Why hasn't he insisted that action be taken against these councils?
Just who is giving him the advice he relies upon? Like Launceston Council he too needs to get a second opinion. It's often a good idea if there is contrary advice floating about.
If he was diagnosed with a terminal condition, told that he had 6 months to live, and he felt very well, wouldn't he seek a second opinion then? Maybe not.
Post a Comment