Mandogalup up in arms over rate rise

A group of angry Mandogalup residents who feel they have been under-represented, unfairly treated and taxed, attended last week’s City of Kwinana council meeting to vent their frustrations.

About 60 Mandogalup residents face an uncertain future after State Government legislation proposed extending the industrial buffer zone to include their properties.

The latest setback for a number of residents has been a change in the zoning of their homes, resulting in a dramatic increase in rates.

Hubert and Margaret De Haer’s rates have increased from $1975.23 to $3594.47 in the past 12 months after their Norkett Road property’s zoning was changed from rural to improved special residential.

This was because of the land not predominantly being used for rural purposes or a livelihood being derived from it.

Mrs De Haer said the rates hike came as a real shock and represented an 82 per increase.

The City of Kwinana said of the 67 properties impacted by the change in zoning, 85 per cent had their rates decrease, and that rates were determined based on the gross annual rental value of the respective property.

With Mandogalup on the border of the cities of Kwinana and Cockburn, Mr De Haer said his family did not use Kwinana’s facilities and as such got very little for the rates they pay.

Mr and Mrs De Haer’s son Steven said the City had not consulted with them over the rates increase or the wider buffer zone issue in general.

“The disappointing thing is that we haven’t actually been given anything to explain the zoning,” he said. “In the letter that was circulated with the rates, the mayor speaks about sharpening their pencils to make sure it was equitable. In terms of consultation, there has been nothing. We have never really felt that we have been represented at all by Kwinana.”

The State Government has announced the Environmental Protection Authority will conduct its own research into the potential health and amenity impacts dust may have in the Mandogalup area.

The De Haer family plan to make a public submission to the EPA but also want the City of Kwinana to be accountable to their ratepayers.

“To start with we want the City to make representations for us and actually consult with us,” Steven said. “Regardless of whether it is State Government policy or not, the fact remains they took a position to support this legislation when neighbouring councils didn’t.”

Bob White, whose home has also had its zoning changed, said he was concerned he may now be restricted in what he was allowed to do with his property.

City of Kwinana Mayor Carol Adams said usage of the land was behind the change in zoning.

“As part of a standard review of the way the City undertakes property valuations, it was established that several properties that were rated on Unimproved Value were no longer being used for rural purposes,” she said.