Councillor Lousie Crawford, current Mayor of City of Port Phillip, produced factually incorrect messages surrounding the 2025-2026 budget. In her message she states:

“Financially responsible budget

A three per cent average general rates increase in line with the rates cap. The Victorian Government’s rates cap has been set significantly below inflation, which has put pressure on our Council’s ability to fund and deliver services”

Fact:     As stated by the Australian Bureau of Statistics

Inflation was 2.1% for 2024-2025 financial year

          Inflation is expected to be 2.75% for 2025-2026 financial year

The annual CPI both in 2025 and anticipated in 2026 is well below the 3% Rate Cap as set by the Victorian Government.

The mayor then goes on to report:

“Despite this, the budget maintains an ongoing efficiency target. We understand the cost-of-living impact on our community and have looked for ways to keep fee increases low and to deliver more equitable outcomes such as the private waste rebate”

Fact: There is an efficiency target of 1.5% of expenditure. The Council came up with 0.1%!

Fact:  Total rate increases and fee charges for 2025-2026 are more than double the expected inflation rate with total revenue at 5.60%!

Mayor, when the public perception of Council as demonstrated in public surveys is embarrassingly low, ensuring factual and honest statements should be a priority. Sadly, this is not the first time you have been caught out.

Will you now retract your statement?