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I'm not a lawyer, or very familiar, but a scan of the judgment suggests that the problem was that Council tried to charge different levels of general rates based on the properties of the people who owned that land, rather than on the properties of the land itself. That's not allowed. But...

The Court is going to crucify them if the decision I referred to is upheld, and they'll definitely have to refund it. I don't think Courts take kindly to their decisions being flouted.

I imagine this practice has been suspended until the matter is resolved in the Courts. A class action against Mackay Regional Council for this practice was recently successful. The Local Government Association is appealing the decision because it affects so many councils, but it would be a brave...

The index is relative to the median price at some point in the past, so yes, house prices appear to be trending downwards. Total drop for the year 12.215/12.6175 = 96.8% ie prices down 3.2% over the year.

Yes, I'm hearing good stories out of Melbourne, but I'm really not seeing any tangible signs of a return of optimism in any other market yet. I'm not banking on any significant growth for a few years - but I'd be ecstatic to be wrong. :)

Aw shucks, wylie, how nice of you to notice I was gone! I just noticed that you noticed my absence. ;) I had about 4 or 5 months' break late 08, but "I'm back, baby". :cool: Somersoft is irresistible...