The Raymond Island Community Association says it’s been inundated with calls regarding the East Gippsland Shire’s proposal to implement additional charges for the ferry in its forthcoming budget.
President of the association, Lesley Howard, says she’s received “significant feedback from stressed residents and ratepayers regarding the proposed imposition of a $300 ferry fee for the second car in each household and the introduction of a $2 pedestrian fee” to ride on the ferry.
Ms Howard said residents were initially unaware of the proposed feed until they received an SMS, “not from the council, but from the Raymond Island Emergency Preparation Committee”.
“Residents do not understand how council could embark on such a course of action without notifying them, in writing, and with so little time to respond to the proposed budget measure,” Ms Howard said.
Ratepayers had until June 3 to provide feedback to the proposed measure, with Ms Howard suggesting that “given such a short time frame, many wonder if the lack of publicity, consultation and time to respond was deliberate”.
Hundreds of residents are expected to be in attendance at the East Gippsland Shire Council meeting next Tuesday evening (June 28) at 6pm to object to the proposed introduction of the new fees to use the Raymond Island ferry.
IMAGE: President of the Raymond Island Community Association, Lesley Howard, with local resident, Ian Campbell, are unhappy about the proposed fees to use the Raymond Island ferry. K202-7674
