Trader fury at rates stance

Bigger players in the local business sector have reacted angrily to the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River and councillors ruling out a major rates reprieve in the coming financial year. After last week’s Times report, which outlined still-in-discussion plans for a freeze on rates increases for 2020-21, several multi-property landlords and big business owners said they were shocked the council would not do more to lessen the burden on traders affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Shire president Ian Earl said although councillors had not made a final decision, they were unlikely to cut rates despite the criticism. “There will be some criticism that we haven’t laid staff off or that we’ve gone for a zero per cent rise,” he told the Times. “I’ll wear that on behalf of the organisation and how well we’re going. “A lot of (officers) are working around the clock at the moment.” The critics, who didn’t want to be named, said Shire officers on higher wages than the average resident, and protected from COVID-19’s economic fallout by secure jobs, should show greater compassion. They said the Shire had suspended rents for its own tenants for several months, and had millions in reserves to draw upon to fund its $2 million community care fund — which largely went to local organisations rather than helping ratepayers directly. Cr Earl said everyone knew residents would struggle and those in difficulty should contact the Shire to discuss a hardship plan. “We would be looking at anything that can help,” he said. But an across-the-board reduction in rates was not a solution. “Ten per cent wouldn’t help,” he said. “Twenty-five per cent would kill us as a Shire. We’d end up having to sack staff. We don’t want to do that. They are community members too.” The Registered Accommodation Providers Margaret River Region was among the first industry groups to call for rates relief, and spokeswoman Debbie Noonan said commercial operators were big financial contributors to the Shire “during good times”. “In our time of need, all they offer is that we pay the same as last year,” she said. “As a minimum, the premium rates we are levied should be reduced to ‘standard’. A rate holiday for six months would be welcomed.” Margaret River Chamber of Commerce executive officer Annie McFie said the chamber initially sought rates reductions for traders affected by the main street redevelopment, now complicated by COVID-19. “We would still support a rate reduction, but realise there are now a multiplicity of factors that would affect the overall fairness of how this reduction would be applied,” she said. “The decision to open the borders and ease restrictions has further complicated this issue with some businesses now in recovery and others remaining closed.” Mrs Noonan said councillors should understand the tourism sector would be in recovery for at least two years.