Alice Springs Town Council flags rates rise in 2023-24 municipal plan

Alice Springs Town Council has flagged a significantly higher rates rise compared to previous years. Here’s what the money will deliver in the Red Centre.

Alice Springs ratepayers will be hit with a 7.5 per cent rates rise this new financial year, the council has proposed.

Alice Springs Town Council has flagged the increase in its 2023-24 municipal plan, which is now out for community consultation.

If endorsed it means commercial property owners will cough up about $1600 in annual rates, while homeowners and rural residents will pay about $1500.

Top End councils including Darwin and Palmerston have proposed rates rises between 4 and 5 per cent in their municipalities.

Alice Springs ratepayers are set to pay 7.5 per cent more in rates this upcoming financial year. Picture: Getty Images

The Alice Springs increase, which also applies to waste charges, marks a notable jump on previous years.

There was a rate freeze in 2020 while the following year they went up 2 per cent, before increasing 4.7 per cent in 2022.

The municipal plan said modest increases in previous years were made in “understanding of the financial pressures” despite high inflation.

“As a consequence, over the past five years the value of council’s rate revenue had declined significantly in real terms,” the document reads.

“By setting this rate, council is taking a financially responsible position to future-proof … delivering and maintaining high quality infrastructure and services.”

Mayor Matt Paterson said his council’s plan sets the course for a more exciting and vibrant Alice Springs. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Mayor Matt Paterson said his council had been working hard to improve the liveability of Alice Springs.

“This municipal plan will show we have invested in exactly that,” he said.

“Significant resources will be invested into improving the liveability for community members with multiple exciting projects on the horizon.

“We have recently unveiled a new outdoor gym facility at the aquatic and leisure centre and we will continue to add to that facility with a new adventure playground earmarked for completion this year.

“Perhaps the most exciting of all, a regional skatepark will be built at Newland Park.”

The council has allocated more than $11m for capital works in its new budget, including $1m for upgrades at Araluen Park and $600,000 for other park upgrades.

Public consultation closes on June 16 and can be supplied by emailing [e-mail] or at the Civic Centre reception.