Rate freezes ratified as Alice Springs Council budget and municipal plan adopted
RATES freezes for Alice Springs residents are one step closer after Alice Springs Town councillors unanimously adopted the new municipal plan and budget
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RATES freezes for Alice Springs residents are one step closer after Alice Springs Town councillors unanimously adopted the new municipal plan and budget.
No submissions were received from the public on the budget which includes measures to put a freeze on rates but will include a 2 per cent increase on fees and charges.
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At Monday night’s meeting, the Alice Springs Town Council voted to adopt the municipal plan for 2020/2021, which includes budget estimates for the 2020/2021 financial year.
Alice Springs Town Council CEO Robert Jennings said the changes will provide much needed support for people hit financially by COVID-19.
“Residents won’t be paying anymore more for rates than they were last year. It’s a pretty good package to support people through difficult times,” he said.
“Elected members are very conscious of the current environment and have committed to a 0 per cent rate freeze on residential property in-line with this plan.”
The municipal plan includes the development of a youth hub, refurbishment of the library, upgrades to the pool, upgrading the Ilparpa road and more funding for parks and tidiness.
“With the impacts of COVID-19, this Municipal Plan required a lot of planning, flexibility and innovation to ensure Council is able to meet the needs of the community whilst also balancing any financial impacts,” Mr Jennings said.
The annual waste charge for properties receiving a regular weekly waste collection service is $364.95 for the year (not increased from previous year) and, for rural residential properties, the waste management charge is $67.70.
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Every resident will receive two free waste vouchers.
With the 0% rate freeze, the minimum rate for residential zoning remains the same as last year, at $1,332.77.
Property valuation is determined by the Valuer-General and based on the unimproved capital value of the land, excluding dwellings.
Residential ratepayers who pay their rates in full before the first instalment date go into the early bird draw for a chance to win a rates refund.
Originally published as Rate freezes ratified as Alice Springs Council budget and municipal plan adopted