Residents of Williamtown's red zone are disappointed with Port Stephens Council's proposed rate relief, with Fullerton Cove Residents Action Group President Lindsay Clout labelling the move a "window dressing exercise."
The relief would see rates reduced by up to 50% for residents of the red zone, with the cost balanced by a small increase for remaining ratepayers. The proposed changes have left some residents concerned Council is simply shifting the cost instead of fixing the problem.
Lindsay Clout says Council should be challenging the Department of Defence over the issue.
"Are they really trying to help us? If they were, they'd be standing beside us and demanding Defence clean up this contamination," said Lindsay Clout.
"That's what we want."
Council admits the move won't solve everything and says the rate reduction is a way for them to help at a local level, but residents aren't satisfied enough is being done.
"We're still being contaminated, people are sick, people can't move out because land prices have collapsed," said Lindsay Clout.
"And to think that a small percentage rate reduction is going to fix the problem (is) nonsense."
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| Williamtown residents aren't satisfied with proposed rate relief. Image: ABC. |
