A Greens-controlled council in inner Melbourne voted to advance a plan to push out investment property owners by doubling their rates and halving them for owner-occupiers, in what critics labelled a political stunt that would backfire if implemented.
Merri-bek Council, which covers Brunswick, Fitzroy North, Coburg and other suburbs, on Wednesday night voted 6-5 to pass a motion to examine whether different rates for property investors, owner-occupiers and businesses is legally possible.
