Budget adopted as Katherine Town Council plans for year ahead

The final plan and budget has been adopted following a period of community consultation, in which the council said it considered a number of public submissions which added "great value" to the final plan and budget.

The final rate increase figure of 4.9 per cent has decreased from the council's earlier modelling which projected a 7.2 per cent increase, due to previously unbudgeted revenue and funding.

Mayor Elisabeth Clark said the 2021-22 municipal plan and budget provided a number of important activities and projects for the Katherine community.

She said the plan struck a balance between outcomes for the community with an acceptable level of revenue increase.

"It's a low rate compared to recent years," she said.

"Council has a 10-year plan that we have developed, we have put money aside for a new waste management facility and a few other things we want to do during the year, and we can still do the things that council is required to do.

"It is a very good budget and we are still tracking well - we are still in the black, which is important."

She said the council was in "good shape" as it looked both to its short-term future and longer-term planning.

"The auditors think we are in a good financial position, which is a good place for a council to be in," Ms Clark said.

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The municipal plan and budget will allow the council to deliver and build on services to the community and invest in the ongoing renewal of the $119 million of community infrastructure assets.

There are a number of infrastructure projects in the works within the district over the next 12 months, including the completion of the Emungalan Bridge at an approximate cost of $4m, as well as $1.4m to be spent on upgrading roads, foot paving and stormwater, and $1m allocated to the development of a new waste management facility.

The council will also be spending $40,000 for its community grants program, while the sports ground pavilion upgrade project is continuing.

There is also forward planning taking place, with a recreation strategy and master planning exercise to be undertaken, in addition to the council developing a strategic plan for the community.

"Our community is the centre of the council's attention and this year we look forward to delivering an array of exciting projects across the Katherine community," Ms Clark said.

"We are trying to cover a few things in Katherine that people have been expecting, for example the bridge project, and we are trying to do as much as we can over the next 12 months."

The municipal plan and budget is available to view at the council's website at katherine.nt.gov.au.

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