In our ongoing conversation with you about the need to increase our rate income, I and other Councillors have mentioned how in recent years the two other levels of government have been shifting costs to local government. This is something which has also been heard repeatedly from various councils during the inquiry into local government sustainability being run by the Australian Parliament.
We wrote a detailed submission about how cost shifting was getting worse. Unfortunately there is a new cost shifting move. The State Government has plans for a “cemeteries tax” with $156 per burial, $63 per ash interment and $41 per cremation will be levied on large operators – including councils – from 1 July 2024. I don’t see any option but for it to be passed on to community members, adding to the cost of interment services for those facing one of the most challenging circumstances of their lives. I hope this decision is reversed. Your council does not want to have to pass these costs on.