Darwin residents face 2.5 per cent rates increase in new council Budget
Darwin ratepayers face a 2.5 per cent increase on their annual rates in the draft 2021/22 annual Budget, with an increase and reintroduction of a number of fees.
Northern Territory
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DARWIN ratepayers face a 2.5 per cent increase on their annual rates in the draft 2021/22 annual Budget, with an increase and reintroduction of a number of fees allowing for a record capital works program.
It will see council’s total rates revenue increase from $65.4 million in the 2020/21 financial year to $67.3 million, after council upheld a rates freeze last year due to the coronavirus pandemic, which will be an average increase of $35 per year.
The average rate increase comes due to the triennial revaluation of land, which could see some ratepayers paying less due to the revaluation.
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Increases to pool entry fees, parking fees and the waste levy will also help account for the capital works program while alfresco dining will be reintroduced to their pre-pandemic levels, of $7 per table per day for businesses within the CBD and $4 per table per week for businesses outside the CBD.
Pool entry fees will increase by 50c to $1 for single entries and $2.50 for a family entrance. No increases will be made to lane hire.
Council’s kerbside collections levy has increased by $13, from $284 to $297, while the annual access tag fee for the Shoal Bay Waste facility has increased to $284 per annum.
Darwin Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis said the increased capital works program would help improve the municipality through dipping into reserves while also giving ratepayers return for their fees.
“This budget is responsible, resilient and sustainable, funded through a mix of operational savings, loan borrowings and utilisation of reserves,” he said.
“The 2021/22 Municipal Plan aims to deliver a Better City. Better Suburbs, with the budgeted capital expense spread across the community – it’s a budget for our suburbs.”
The capital works program includes $55 million to delivering the casuarina Aquatic and Leisure Centre and Civic Centre redevelopments, $14 million to Shoal Bay Waste Management facility cell capping and $9.3 million to maintaining parks and green spaces across the municipality.
De-sexed cat registrations will also increase from $11 to $16 annually but are the only increase to pet registrations.
Last year, Darwin council upheld a promise to freeze rates in response to the coronavirus pandemic, with a further $7 million allocated to aiding the pandemic’s recovery.
Darwin council, along with all other local government’s in the NT, face an election in August this year.
The draft plan can be viewed at https://engage.darwin.nt.gov.au/2021-22-municipal-plan or by visiting Darwin Civic Centre, Harry Chan Avenue, Darwin, between 8:00am and 5:00pm Monday to Friday.
Written submissions can be submitted via https://engage.darwin.nt.gov.au/2021-22-municipal-plan or email engage@darwin.nt.gov.au or phone 8930 0300.
All feedback will be considered by Council in adopting the final 2021/22 Municipal Plan at the Ordinary Council Meeting scheduled to be held on Tuesday, 29 June 2021.
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