The community group raised serious concerns about council's performance, highlighting issues that have increasingly frustrated residents and ratepayers.
“Councils like Indigo Shire Council who use fixed Differential Rates are failing to follow a key principle under section 101(c) of Local Government Act 2020 which states: Revenue and rating plans must seek to provide stability and predictability in the financial impact on the municipal community,” Indigo Community Voice President Herb Ellerbock said.
“The Victorian Government Rate Cap fails to protect ratepayers from those excessive rate increases. Council rates need to be reviewed and adjusted as necessary, each time properties are revalued, otherwise rate spikes occur.
"Residents are struggling with an unfair rating strategy that causes unpredictable rate spikes each year, making household budgeting a nightmare.”
The Environmental Management Contribution appearing on Indigo rate notices is nothing more than an additional charge that ends up in general revenue, according to the group.
The group was critical of council's spending on non-essential infrastructure projects, which members claim has resulted in a decline in essential services that the community needs. "Maintenance of existing infrastructure has been reduced, while the council pours funds into projects that don't align with residents' priorities," Mr Ellerbock said.
“Despite conducting surveys and pre-budget consultations, council has been accused of ignoring the community's input.
"Residents have consistently highlighted the need for better roads—both sealed and unsealed, footpaths and drainage - but these areas aren't receiving the necessary funding."
The annual Victorian Community Satisfaction Survey results have reflected these issues, with the Indigo Shire Council's overall rating now at a mere 52%, marking consistently poor performance over the past five years.
“With an Indigo Shire council staff turnover of 26% last year, there is something very wrong,” Mr Ellerbock continued.
“Furthermore, the group pointed out that the council has been spending Victorian Government Bushfire and Flood Recovery Funds on initiatives that lacked community consultation. There's little to no transparency; the public is not allowed into briefings and other sessions, and tourism operators have no say over the marketing of their industry."
Indigo Community Voice questions who is effectively running Indigo Shire Council under the Victorian Local Government Act of 2020—the elected councillors or the senior management.
With the upcoming council elections, Indigo Community Voice is urging residents to vote for change.
"It's time for new councillors who will truly act on behalf of the residents that elected them," Mr Ellerbock emphasized.
The Free Press obtained the following response from Indigo Shire Council’s chief executive Trevor Ierno: “The issues raised at the inquiry have also been raised and answered by council on numerous occasions, either during open forum at council meetings, in officer reports to council as part of adopted strategies. Community members interested in council’s responses can access them in the agenda and minutes section of the council website.”
