Parks saved, but rate hike possible

By Emily Donohoe

Jun 28, 2024

Around 100 Murray River Council residents attended the most recent council meeting addressing the reclassification of community land. Photos: Aidan Briggs Photo by Aidan Briggs

Murray River Council will not sell off any parkland but will now be forced to look at a special rate variation for the 2026/2027 financial year.

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At Tuesday’s meeting - relocated to Moama Recreation Reserve Pavilion due to the 100 residents in attendance - a rescission motion against the previously passed decision to consider reclassification of community land to operational land was moved.

The original motion proposed changing the use of 18 lots across the council footprint - including two in Mathoura - which would then allow for the lots to be developed and/or potentially sold on, therefore reducing council’s maintenance costs.

Cr Kron Nicholas’ rescission motion asked for the Mathoura Soldier’s Memorial Gardens, AE Murphy Park Mathoura, Highlands Park Moama and Rivergums Drive (Winbi) Park Moama to be removed from the list.

An amendment to the motion to include the other 14 lots was put forward by Cr Geoff Wise.

All councillors, bar Dennis Gleeson, voted in favour of the amended rescission motion.

Cr Gleeson noted the struggles of farmers and rural Murray River Council residents such as those in his Wakool Ward, particularly with unpaved roads and a lack of services, as his reason for opposing the rescission.

Due to a conflict of interest related to AE Murphy Park in Mathoura, the motion was split in two to allow Cr Tom Weyrich to vote on the remaining lots. Cr Nikki Cohen was not in attendance due to a prearranged leave of absence.

Dennis Gleeson was the only councillor to vote against the rescission. Photo by Aidan Briggs

Mayor Frank Crawley voted in favour of the rescission, citing the community’s opposition to the proposal and community activism as his motivation.

Cr Crawley was in attendance at community meetings held at Winbi Park on June 9 and Highlands Park on June 23.

“This tells us, as a council, that an overwhelming number of Moama residents don’t want to see any parks sold off,” he said.

“As a councillor who is committed to community consultation, I was particularly pleased that so many members of the public came out to be heard.”

Cr Crawley delivered a mayoral minute following the passing of the rescission, asking council to appeal for a special rate variation - allowing council to increase rates above the state imposed rate cap - to help improve its financial situation.

He has called on chief executive Terry Dodds to apply to the Independent Pricing And Regulatory Tribunal by February 2025 to potentially increase council rates.

If approved, the special rate variation will be determined and come into effect for the 2026/27 financial year.

The mayoral minute was passed unanimously.

Despite prospects of a rate increase, Cr Crawley received a glowing reception from the crowd, who were delighted to see the reclassification of the parks withdrawn.