Katherine Town Council has proposed a nine per cent rate rise for the 2017/18 financial year.
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The council wants to raise $7,604,785 from rates next financial year, an increase on the almost $7 million from the current financial year.
The $7,604,785 is made up of the projected increase of $7,559,816 plus new development (rates growth) $44,969
The proposed rate rise was revealed at last night’s brief council meeting which adopted the draft municipal plan, which now goes on display.
If adopted, it will continue the council’s recent history of nine per cent rate rises.
A council spokeswoman today said its long term plan shows this would be the last year at nine per cent, after which the plan shows a reduction and return to lower levels.
“The increase allowed council to cover some of its asset infrastructure gap and to provide a better sustainable service to its community,” the spokeswoman said.
The proposed rate rise was revealed at last night’s brief council meeting which adopted the draft municipal plan, which now goes on display.
If adopted, it will continue the council’s recent history of nine per cent rate rises.
- 2017/18 – 9% (proposed)
- 2016/17 – 9%
- 2015/16 – 9%
- 2014/15 – 4.5%
- 2013/14 – 9%
- 2012/13 – 5%
Mayor Fay Miller said the key projects are the completion of the Hot Springs project, upgrade works to the Katherine Civil Airport, street lighting and ongoing priority issues.
Mayor Miller said future projects being progressed include the Savannah Way, the development of the Katherine Southside Hub/In-Land port and the Katherine Flood Mitigation works with the NT Government.
The Mayor’s base salary will increase slightly to $66,518 from $65,860 and the base salary of aldermen will rise to $12,195 from $12,074.
There was a short discussion at the meeting on the need to provide more regular cleaning services to the town’s public toilets.
Mayor Miller said comments had been made to her about the toilets being found in a dirty state which may impact on tourist visitors.
Another issues highlighted was an upgrade to 860 streetlights to Smart City LED light which is expected to reduce energy consumption by half and maintenance bills should fall by 80 per cent.
The council will meet to adopt the plan on June 27.
Written submissions close on June 9.