Commercial reality

To receive this newsletter in your inbox each day, just register with Farm Tender here.

By Dwain Duxson

Commercial reality - We have had many replies from people unhappy with their local Councils/Shires. And most of the replies were about the exorbitant rates they are paying. 

My reply to one Family, who had an $82,000 rate bill, was that they probably support one full (average) Council/Shire wage. Let's say it's $80k as a rounded-off figure (guessing a little here). As a Farmer, are you paying part of someone's wage, someone's full wage, or multiple wages? And what would you get in return?

Don't miss a thing. Join The Farmers Club.

I have a mate who's the CEO of a hospital, and they were told years ago by the Government to make sure they run their Hospital as a commercial entity. By that, I mean they have to make money themselves and not rely on Government funding. So everything they do has to be justified, and I am sure there is funding for things, but they are effectively a local business.

Why don't Councils and Shires do the same and stop or restrict their reliance on rate income? If Hospitals can do it, Shire and Councils could do it also. They just need someone innovative who knows how to run a viable business. And yes, it might take years to get to that point, but why not start now? Reply to dwaind@farmtender.com.au

End of message