THEY say local government is all about ‘roads, rates and rubbish’.

Certainly, that’s a little simplistic these days, but there’s no doubt that the ‘three Rs’ are still right up at the top of the priority list or should be for local councils.

Unfortunately, several past council regimes have been unable to make progress on a number of key projects under those headings, including the Gap Road transfer station on Phillip Island, the

Sunderland Bay/Surf Beach Special Charge Scheme, and a fairer rates system; because they’ve been distracted by popular politics.

The new council, one year in, has finally turned its mind to reviewing its rating structure, but making a number of fundamental mistakes from the outset.

First of all, there simply isn’t enough time to conduct a meaningful rating review between the middle of November and the middle of February, effectively with the loss of a month of Christmas holiday downtime in the middle.

Makes you suspect that, once again, they’re not serious about grappling with the complex issues involved with rejigging the rate structure.

Secondly, the council has also put up three ridiculous options for the community to consider as a starting point.

When you appreciate that this rating review comes out of a need to address the level of farm rates in particular, as a result of some step increases in farm values in recent years that bear no relationship to farm income, it’s simply not good enough to put up three options in isolation that benefit only half of the farming community.

And the proposed removal of the Land Management Rebate is an own goal of epic proportions for a council that claims to have the protection of the environment and the rural hinterland as central to its vision for a beautiful Bass Coast.

So, what to do? Turn up!

The shire has three consultation opportunities coming up, see below, and there’s a ‘survey’ tab on the ‘Rating Strategy Review’ page of the Engage Bass Coast website, so get to it. And remember, a shift in the rate burden off farmers will impact other classes of ratepayers, including householders and business operators.

Consultation dates:

• Wonthaggi Town Hall – Thursday, November 27, 2pm-3.30pm

• Phillip Island Visitor Information Centre (Newhaven) – Tuesday, December 2, 12.30pm-2pm

• Corinella and District Community Centre – Tuesday, December 9, 11.30am-1pm.