Top council ratepayers the happiest in the state

[a_unique_person]

Victoria's highest-rating municipality also has the happiest ratepayers, according to the State Government's latest report card for local councils.

The report, for 2002, found that the City of Wodonga enjoyed the state's highest level of community satisfaction despite charging the highest residential rate - $878 per assessment.

The second highest rater, Boroondara, came equal fourth in the community satisfaction stakes. Four councils had big improvements in community satisfaction despite increasing rates by 6, 8, 10 and 20 per cent.

Yesterday, the Municipal Association of Victoria said the report dispelled the myth that Victorians judged their councils by the size of their rate bill.



http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/02/04/1044318608745.html

[Mike B.]

Is there a link to show the relative wealth and ability to pay of these different communites in Australia? That might have something to do with it...

[a_unique_person]

Originally posted by Mike B.
Is there a link to show the relative wealth and ability to pay of these different communites in Australia? That might have something to do with it...

in fact, wodonga is not at all at the top of the rich list. it is a comparatively small and poor country area.

The list of details was not published online. Bayside council at 4 would be the richest of the top 4, but rates only 10 in satisfaction.

[crackmonkey]

... so? Your point is....?

[a_unique_person]

Originally posted by crackmonkey
... so? Your point is....?

some believe that all taxes are inherently wrong, and more taxes are inherently worse than less taxes. This appears to show that some people are prepared to pay for what they get.

[crackmonkey]

Yeah. I'm not sure why conservatives go off the deep end about taxes. I'm no fan of big government, but I have no problems with paying a reasonable amount of taxes for a decent society. There must be a safety net for the disadvantaged.

[a_unique_person]

Originally posted by crackmonkey
Yeah. I'm not sure why conservatives go off the deep end about taxes. I'm no fan of big government, but I have no problems with paying a reasonable amount of taxes for a decent society. There must be a safety net for the disadvantaged.

which is the point, i think. as with all organisations, responsibility, accountability and communication. big government merely for the sake of being big is not any attraction to myself, either. this goes for corporations as well, however.