“They send us broke”: Elderly residents forced to sell their Sydney houses after rates triple
Elderly residents on the outskirts of Sydney are being forced to sell their houses they have owned for decades after the local council tripled their rates.
Pensioners living in Oakville have been disgusted by Hawkesbury Council changing its rates, with some increasing from $2300 to $12,000.
Local Monica Castles said her bill climbed from $2,500 to $9,300 and now she needs $400 of her fortnightly pensions to pay the new rates.
“I have friends that live in different areas around Oakville and their rates increased but increased by $50 and $90, but ours went up 300 per cent and it's just not fair,” she told 9 News.
Fritz Hofer, who has been a resident in Oakville for 41 years, said he is biting out of his savings to manage these new rates.
“It's just money grabbers at the moment. They send us broke, basically,” he said.
Even more pensions may have to sell and relocate as the council has applied to pricing watchdog IPART to raise rates by another 31.29 per cent.
Hawkesbury Council said the further money is needed to fix the area’s roads.
The Oakville Progress Association has made a submission against the proposal.
President John Cupit said, “Their rates will go from $2300 to over $12,000. We can't let it stand.”
In May, the IPART will make its decision on the proposed rate increase.
What do you think about these outrageous rate hikes? Let us know in the comments below.