Well it is official; Council has been granted permission to increase rates to residents of Liverpool by 12.5%. You all know my stance on this; I think the timing is poor. I expect there are a great number of our citizens who will feel the increase of rates, water and electricity (averaging at about $600 per year) will leave them even further behind the eight ball. But alas, what can you say, even if you rent, expect that it will increase also as your owner will try and recoup the costs via your weekly rent.
This brings me to my current theory? Is this just clever manipulation by the State Government to further alienate residents from councils, is this another nail in the coffin of local government? Why do I say this, it is becoming increasingly obvious that State Govt legislature is systematically tearing away controls from council, things like Planning is now a regional issue, systems are being set in place where councils will now have to hand over plans so that State can monitor community participation and consultation. Little by little State government is making things either difficult or downright taking things away from Local Councils.
It is often said that we are over governed, is this a slow and steady way of making councils seem redundant? Is this my view alone, or do you have a theory of your own?
Don’t misunderstand, I support our local council, I am not totally against having ‘big brother’ keep an eye on local government, heaven knows, where were they when the OASIS project was costing us millions? Along with the DFO and other such projects. Was the State actually a party to some of the ‘financial woes” and “poor planning” that affected our city?
One more question while you are reading…. what do you think of Liverpool? At a forum last evening I heard a local parent say she was saddened when her own children, who had been raised here in Liverpool in a basically ‘normal’ upbringing, stated they wouldn’t even consider living in Liverpool or raising their children here in Liverpool. She was saddened because she works to improve the environment and the amenity of the city and is a supporter of all things “Liverpool’ and here her own kids were disparaging of ‘her’ city. A city she believed had served them well. So what do you think? Are we raising our kids not to appreciate what we have here in Liverpool or is it all too late?
Seems my blog this week has more questions than answers, so help me out here…
July 9, 2009 at 7:05 pm |
Hi Signe – my kids tell me they never want to leave the area (though that may have as much to do with having it good at home as a love for where we live)!
I don’t care what anyone says – this is our area, and if they don’t like it … help improve it!!
July 10, 2009 at 9:15 am |
Iknow what you are saying and I have to say this lady was quite upset that her children felt this way, especially since she felt that all they had achieved, which was notable, they learned here in Liverpool. I on the other hand have a daughter who loves Liverpool but would prefer it located in a cooler climate like Tassie… what can you do…?
Plus I believe all said children were much older than yours… 29+ so perhaps your time is yet to come! Lets hope not, Liverpool is a good place to live and raise a family. Plus as you said, if you don’t like something…fix it!