History

Bass Coast Ratepayers and Residents Association was founded at a public meeting held at the Wonthaggi Workmen’s Club on July 30, 2016.

The meeting was called because of increasing community concern at the excessive level of rate hikes that were occurring each year. The local newspapers regularly contained letters from citizens across the Shire with similar concerns. It became apparent to a few people that, as individual members of the community, their voices would have little influence on Council decision making or behaviour. The public meeting was called to see if the wider community had similar concerns, and whether a Shire-wide community group would be better able to gain Council’s attention.

The meeting was a resounding success, with almost 200 concerned citizens and ratepayers from across the Shire in attendance.
Quite a few non-resident ratepayers made the trip from Melbourne just to attend the meeting.

The community members unanimously endorsed the formation of the new shire wide body, The Bass Coast Ratepayers and Residents Association. A committee was formed and the Association was born.