Melbourne councillor pushes to double rates for property investors and halve them for owner-occupiers

James Conlan of Merri-bek council says the change would make investing in the area less attractive' and free up more homes for first-time buyers

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A councillor in Melbourne's inner north has proposed doubling rates for landlords and slashing them in half for owner-occupiers and businesses, in a move that has drawn mixed reviews from economists.

Independent councillor James Conlan is set to move a motion on Wednesday night asking Merri-bek council to investigate how it could introduce a new differential rate" for property investors in an effort to make more homes available to first-home buyers".