Ed Chatwin's Blog

I was just now looking for info about this when I came by your blog post. I’m just visiting to say that I very much enjoyed reading this post, it is very clear and well written. Are you going to blog more on this? It looks like there is more depth here for later posts.

I was just now looking for info about this when I came by your post. I’m only stopping by to say that I definitely enjoyed reading this post, it’s very well written. Are you going to post more on this? It seems like there’s more fodder here for future posts.

Dear Ed,
At Long last we have a public forum for events that affect us in the Shire of Cardinia.
It is grate to be able to comment electronically on the many issues posed by the decayed, long neglect by previous councilors and some of our current elected representatives.
Stick with your policy of ACTIONS NOT JUST WORDS and Ranges Ward will be all the better for it.

Hi Cr. Ed,

Below are my comments, specifically on the questions shown 1. and 2.

1. Would you have confidence that the Debt Reduction Strategy will
reduce the debt by $8.9million?

A1. Confidence only in that steady (or worse) rates increases will be
used to reduce debt by any amount.
Obs. The 05/06 budget and projections show a steady decrease, however
the reality is a steady increase with a minor pause in 2007.
Qn. Were these projections produce in the expectation of steady rate
increases? If not what was the reason?

Obs. The graph also shows last years actual debt hitting the projected
target of the 07/08 budget!
Qn. Was this was due to luck or to the planned rate increase?
Qn. What role does good management take, in projections and their
ultimate achievement?

2. What are the odds for each year that the debt value will be within 5%
of the Budget value?

A2. Absent steady unrealistic, unfair and unsustainable rate increases,
the probabilities are extremely low in my estimation!
Obs. Current projections show a steady 2.25 Mil. annual debt decrease,
this in spite of tougher econ. times!
Qn. On what basis are these projected figures derived?

Obs. Items show increases in costs and expenditure skyrocketing?
Qn. Where are the necessary expenditure cuts?

Obs. Income shown includes rates/charges and Federal and State Grants only!
Qn. Where is the income from all this debt?

Comment..
While property valuations may have increased in some areas (mainly due
to a shift in capital) other major assets such as Superannuation have
sharply reduced some by as much as 50%.!
In the current economic climate rates based solely on property values is
unfair and unrealistic!
Also some property valuations (in growth areas) are based on false
assumptions of capital growth!

Bill Whitbourn.
Concerned Emerald Resident.

Is there a time set for replying to letters from community groups and individual ratepayers? Seems to be ‘never’.
What does Connect Cardinia cost to produce? Last issue was full of items that had alreaady been in the Pakenham Gazette so why bother?