MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council is being accused of not “staying in its lane” after revealing a proposal to charge higher rates for homeowners who do not go solar.
Social media pages have been flooded with posts calling the plan “discriminatory” and “unfair”. Under the plan suggested by council officers, ratepayers who do not install new solar panels would pay more to subsidise those who go solar.
The council is seeking feedback on its proposal to introduce a 20 per cent rate discount to households that install, replace or upgrade solar systems over 5kw after 1 July. The discount would be applied for a minimum of one year, and up to five years, following an annual review. Cr Despi O’Connor has stated that the proposal is just at the “consultation” stage and not a done deal, but objectors disagree.
Mornington resident Rosy Fischer posted on Facebook that the idea discriminated against people who could not afford to go solar, while many others said power supply was a government issue, not council. Robert Scott said he already had solar panels and did not need to upgrade them. “There is no way in hell I will be penalised for paying higher rates for already having solar panels,” he posted. “This is nothing but a desperate money grab by buffoons at the council”.
The mayor Cr Simon Brooks said the plan demonstrated council’s commitment to reduce energy costs for residents and tackle climate change. The cost of the program would be covered by a differential rate, meaning the 20 per cent discount would be recovered by distributing the difference to households that did not opt-in or were ineligible to receive the discount. All households with a capital improved value under $2 million are eligible.
The council says there is no financial gain for the shire. Its calculations predict low rate increases for those who do not opt in. In one example, if 1000 properties get the discount, the average increase in rates for remaining properties would be $3. Comment on the proposal is open until 12 April.
First published in the Mornington News – 5th March 2024
