Rockingham rates explained ... via YouTube

Justin Beiber has had 700 million views on YouTube, and the sneezing panda has had 140 million.

But now it’s Barry Sammels turn to try for YouTube fame.

The City of Rockingham has launched a YouTube video explaining the council’s recent rates rises and Cr Sammels said being in front of the camera was a new, albeit slightly uncomfortable experience.

‘‘It’s not something I’ve done before,’’ he said.

‘‘It took about five hours to produce and I had to memorise the lines so it was a bit more difficult not being an actor and not having done drama or anything.

‘‘It was quite difficult to be honest. It wasn’t something that felt natural — but the experience was interesting.’’

Cr Sammels said the video was part of the council’s social media plan working toward better communication with residents.

‘‘We’re on Facebook now, we’ve got our Twitter page, I’m on Twitter also, (@BarrySammels for those who are interested), so it all ties into that.

‘‘I think last year when we increased our rates we didn’t communicate it very well to the community so we thought this year with the rate increase that we really needed to do that and make sure we get out there and communicate with them.

‘‘We just wanted another way to explain the reasons why, because we understand that nobody really likes a rate increase. We just wanted to make sure they understand the reasons why we’ve done it.’’