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Rate rise pain coming in July FAIRFIELD residents are set to cop another slug in the pocket, this time in the form of a rate rise from Fairfield Council. The council will raise rates by 3.2 per cent on July 1 the maximum amount allowed by the State Government generating $1.8 million in extra revenue. The increase follows months of interest rate hikes as well as the growing cost of fuel and household goods. In a report released last week, Cr Thang Ngo said the council should provide rate relief for residents who were struggling. Cr Ngo called for an end to the "blame game". "You can see the signs of economic hardships," he said. "We need tangible and practical relief for our residents." The report, Supporting Fairfield Families, calls for the council to provide support services, convene information sessions and lobby State and Federal governments for assistance. In April, the Australian Bureau of Statistics identified Fairfield East as the most disadvantaged statistical local area in metropolitan Sydney. On top of the escalating cost of petrol and groceries, 165 Fairfield homeowners faced losing their homes after receiving a writ of possession from the Supreme Court last year. Mayor Nick Lalich said the council would review the issues raised within the report. |