Although many councils are still deliberating over their rate increases for the next year, Katherine Town Council plans a 7.5 per cent rate rise in the next year.

The newly reinstalled Palmerston council is going with 2.9 per cent, Darwin 3 per cent and Litchfield is planning a 5 per cent rise.

Roper Gulf Regional Council’s draft budget will be adopted at the June OCM and then released for 21 days public consultation.

Katherine council wants to keep to its long-term plans, the 7.5 per cent rise follows several years of controversial nine per cent hikes.

The big ticket worry for the council continues to be the rehabilitation of the old waste tip and the opening of a new one in the next few years with a price tag approaching $20m.

The Katherine council is expected to be questioned on its proposed rate rise at its council meeting on Tuesday night.

One of the other controversial elements of council’s financial plans to a $21,236 rise in the Mayor’s allowance, to a total of $93,296.

Aldermen allowances are proposed to stay the same, at $15,520.

Residents have until June 5 to comment on the council’s municipal plan for the next year.