Leo has lived and worked in Hobart most of his life. He loves the place, and has watched its transition from a monocultural suburbia to a vibrant multicultural city. The river, the mountain, the parks and gardens and particularly the waterfront precinct make it a unique city.
But all is not perfect. As we have grown, we have excluded too many people. The cost of housing has created a 2-tiered society, and unless we look for the real causes of the wealth gap, it will get worse. A schism will be created in our society. It is our greatest threat.
Sept 2011 (edit): Council amalgamations are now on everyone’s minds. Glenorchy and Kingborough will join with Hobart. Perhaps Clarence and Brighton too. It makes it even more important that systems are set up that are fair to everybody. To have poor people in outer suburbs propping up wealthy people in elite suburbs is an abomination.
Think of the millions of public dollars to be poured into Sullivan’s Cove in the next decade. Who will benefit most? The value of the land will absorb all of the cash spent in the area. It will become the preserve of the super-rich. That cannot be allowed to happen in egalitarian Hobart. It is our city; our waterfront; and our money that is developing it.
There is a solution. The community should collect the value it creates. Public money produces the value, so all of the community should benefit. We can’t all live in Salamanca Place, or Hunter St, but we can collect the value we create for community purposes. All of Hobart’s needs could be met. In that way, we can all enjoy the fruits of our seed-money.
We can start with the Rates system. Rates should be levied on the value of the land only ( Site Value rating). AAV is a dumb idea; it charges people extra for improving their house! But it is the location (site) that gains in value from public expenditure, not the house, so the payment should be based on the benefit received. Any other method is inequitable.
Sept 2011 (edit): Access Economics has reported to the Tasmanian Government that Land Value Rating is superior to AAV on all 8 of their criteria. Why do we persevere with a system that is blatantly unfair, as well as inefficient?
There is plenty more on this theme on my blog, but this brief introduction outlines my philosophy. Please help me to take it onto Council, and make Hobart a more prosperous and fairer place for all of us.
Thank you, Leo Foley
Leo Foley is the President of the Council of Hobart Community Associations, having held the position for the past 5 years. Until 2010, he was President of the Lenah Valley Community Association for 5 years, and has recently formed the Hobart Ratepayers Association to concentrate on broader issues of concern to all Hobart residents and ratepayers.
While ‘ratepayers’ will be the focus of the new group, the primary concept of involvement in civic affairs rests with the individual, as a citizen. Ratepayers are a subset of the citizens; they are not above or beyond them. Because of their direct financial contribution to the city, it is important that their views receive proper representation.
Policies of Hobart Ratepayers Association:
- Rates will be assessed on land values only;
- Election of Councillors will be by the ‘small-group, multi-level democracy’ method – a Citizen’s Democracy;
- The number of elected Aldermen will be reduced, to reflect the loss of some traditional local government responsibilities;
- Amalgamation of Councils will be encouraged;
- Councils will develop a ‘Participatory Culture”, including Precinct-style consultation with residents;
- Transparency of Council decisions, achieved through openness and trust;
- Modern 21st Century public transport options will be developed
- Affordable housing will be developed, using the Community Land Trust model
