By Chris Oldfield Ratepayers at Robe will have an average rate increase of 7.7 percent, which mayor Lisa Ruffell believes is “fair and reasonable in the current climate”. Within that “average” residential property owners will pay around 2.9 percent more. At the top end of the rate rise sits primary producers who are likely to see their rates soar by 11.95 percent, or more. Commercial property owners will see a rate reduction of around 3.41 percent. Additionally, waste management services and catchment water management charges at Robe will both increase by 7.7 percent. Meanwhile, the Landscape levy slapped on property owners by the region’s SA Landscape Board will soar by 8.4 percent, hitting rural property owners the hardest. All of the increased charges were confirmed at a special council meeting in the Robe District Council chambers on July 26. In a message to ratepayers as part of the budget and […]