Darwin council poised to empty pockets with rates relief plan for ratepayers, businesses

DARWIN ratepayers will know tonight if council will approve a proposed rates relief plan included in a $55 million COVID-19 stimulus package

Darwin ratepayers will know on Wednesday night if the council, led by Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis (pictured), will approve a proposed rates relief plan included in a $55 million COVID-19 stimulus package. Picture: Keri Megelus

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DARWIN ratepayers will know on Wednesday night if the council will approve a proposed rates relief plan included in a $55 million COVID-19 stimulus package.

The council will also vote on a number of other stimulus ideas including delaying rates and abolishing interest, support packages for innovative ideas to keep Darwin organisations operating during the coronavirus lockdowns, and redirecting parking revenue into the economy.

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However, the chamber will be closed to the public when councillors consider a recommendation for rent relief and to support artists at the emergency council meeting.

Darwin Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis has also suggested waiving fees and charges at a worst-case-scenario worth $55 million.

Mr Vatskalis said his hands were tied in terms of reducing rates, but he backed deferring rates and scrapping interest.

“Council is in a strong financial position, we have very little borrowing and we have a significant amount of money which has accumulated for the past 10 or 15 years,” he said.

“The previous councils decided to save money at any cost, my idea is we’ve saved enough money for a state of emergency and the rest is spent in the community, especially now at this time because this is a serious emergency.”

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The proposed stimulus package includes $150,000 for grants of up to $10,000 for business and organisations who creatively adapt to social distancing regulations and keep the economy flowing.

Mr Vatskalis said the idea of a “green army” as proposed by Mick Palmer would help to maintain the city’s roads and reserves while also providing employment to those who were suddenly out of a job.

“Let's put a green army together, we can employ anybody who wants to work and we can bring forward all these (projects) we want to plan,” he said.

“We can bring forward all these projects we’ve got in the pipeline instead of waiting two or three months. Let’s bring them forward now so we’ve got some money rolling.”

The council will also discuss the possibility of reinvesting February’s parking revenue – $350,000 – back into the economy through rebates and discounted trade.