Yallingup holiday home owner John Hanrahan is taking his anger over state government land tax bills to the source, with a protest planned for Parliament House next month.
The retired surgeon is organising the rally for February 27 and hopes other disadvantaged by the tax will turn up and speak out.
Mr Hanrahan, who has owned a vacant block and holiday home in Yallingup for 20 years, said his land tax bill on the combined value of his properties more than doubled last year to $37,000.
Mr Hanrahan told WA Business News he could be forced to sell both properties, as all his accrued superannuation will be gone in eight years if he were to continue paying the tax at its current rate.
“Being a retired surgeon does not equal cash flow. The tax is far more than I am spending on living every year,” Mr Hanrahan said.
“Property owners without financial flexibility are being forced to sell, which will place more of these properties in the hands of the very wealthy.”
In its mid-term budget review, the government estimated its $391 million land tax bill for 2006-07 would increase by $49 million.
JMW Real estate principal Joe White said he had been fielding calls from property owners in Yallingup, Dunsborough, Busselton and Eagle Bay who were facing a difficult time trying to pay the bills.
“It’s the ones who have had properties passed down from their parents and who have been hit with $8,000 to $10,000 bills who are really hurting,” Mr White said.
