High prices skew valuations, therefore rates, taxes
Many times over the years I have written to the council in regards to council not seeking nor having land valuations done prior to them purchasing land.
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I have especially sought details of the land purchases around council as the prices paid have not represented commercial values. I
have questioned: $1.2 million for what was FAW; $1.025 million for a closed service station with tanks in the ground and no geotechnical survey; and some disused tennis courts at $715,000.
Independent appraisals show a loss of about $800,000 on one of these properties and as the council holds no valuations, the near $3 million spent is estimated to be worth $2 million to today's market.
It gets worse, as these above market prices have skewed the Valuer General's valuations on surrounding land, so those who own land adjacent are now paying higher council rates and land tax.
It gets worse still, as at the March council meeting, item 10.2 shows councillors voting 6 to 3 against finding out what has been going on.
Councillors Frost, Turner and Jones wanted to be better informed, but the others didn't.
10.2 NOTICE OF MOTION: PURCHASE AND SALE OF LAND
MOTION: That a report be brought to the next meeting of council setting out the council decisions and dealings involving the purchase and sale of land in Comur, Lead and Adele Streets since 1995. The report to at least cover the purchase of 197, 205, 207 and 221 Comur Street and 10 Adele Street and the sale of land to Aldi and Smith in Lead Street.
The report to provide: Copies of items in the Minutes of Council relating to the purchase or sale; A list of all files and major documents held by Council that relate to these dealings; Copies of any valuations obtained, or other means used to estimate value. (Frost/Jones)
FOR: Councillors G. Frost, J. Jones and K. Turner
AGAINST: Councillors R. Abbey, C. Burgess, N. Furry, A. Harker, M. McManus and M. Reid.
MOTION LOST
It seems as if the majority of councillors are content to run the business of council without wanting to be informed.
There seems no end to this purchasing as the council has approached a number of other neighbours with a view to purchase their houses and the likelihood of the so-called council Taj Mahal slowly looks like a reality.
If the Aldi land swap/old flour mill and a few houses are included, us ratepayers will have spent around $5 million and yet to see any public consultation or even the question, do ratepayers want a new council building before we have sealed roads and bridges fixed?
I have had my say. About time the council said something.
Touie Smith Snr, Yass
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