Alice Springs council releases draft budget with proposed rate increase

Alice Springs Town Council has unveiled its draft municipal plan, featuring the proposed changes to rates. See what could change. 

RESIDENTS of the Red Centre could have their rates increased by 4.7 per cent, according to Alice Springs Town Council’s draft Municipal Plan 2022/2023.

The plan, released on May 30, shows the increase would be for all categories of ratepayers with the council expecting to generate revenue of $25.9m from rates in the 2022/23 financial  year.

A further $4.2m in revenue is estimated to come from waste management and collection. Councillors voted in favour of adopting the draft on 26 May.

It has now been put to the public for community consultation.

Mayor Matt Paterson said the budget was responsible and would care for generations to come.

“It is a responsible budget,” he said.

“We understand that the cost of living is increasing for everyone but it is a responsible budget but it’s also visionary, so there is planning in place for now so that generations after us and councils after us are going to benefit.”

$400,000 will be committed to CBD revitalisation and project funding that is inline with the NT government's $120m commitment for CBD works.

$750,000 will be committed to park and playgrounds, with additional funding also being committed to the Todd Mall Traders Association, Capitol Works at the town swimming pool, economic development, climate and the environment, as well as other projects.

Alice Springs Town Council’s draft 2022/23 Municipal Plan is available from May 30 via the Alice Springs Town Council website.

Printed copies will be available at the Civic Centre Reception, Alice Springs Public Library, Alice Springs Aquatic and Leisure Centre, as well as the 50 Plus Community Centre.

Rate hike to hit Darwin homes in new council budget

DARWIN ratepayers are facing a fee increase of almost five per cent after Council released its municipal plan for the 2022-23 financial year.

Council has delivered their latest budget which will see a 4.5 per cent rate increase while looking to drive new projects across the CBD and the suburbs.

This comes after residents faced a zero-rate increase in 2020-21 and a 2.5 per cent increase in the 2021-22 year.

Residential and commercial properties will see an increase of $1.50 a week while kerbside waste collection will increase by 29 cents.

Meanwhile, parking in the CBD is likely to increase by 10 cents.

Darwin lord mayor Kon Vatskalis described the budget as sustainable.

“We’re very aware about the rising cost of living and we want to make sure that we deliver a budget that cares for our city, but also cares about our people,” Mr Vatskalis said.

“For many people Darwin is a small city but not many people know there are 122sq/km. We’ve got roads and parks to maintain and we maintain and rely on our workforce to deliver services.

“During the two years of the pandemic Darwin Council stepped up and did its part to stimulate the Darwin economy.

“We had a zero-rate increase in 2020-21 in the first year of the pandemic and then a minimal 2.5 per cent rates rise last year.

“But we have now entered a different economic period affected by rising construction costs and a nation-wide shortage of skilled labour.”

Interim CEO Simone Saunders with lord mayor Kon Vatskalis at the unveiling of the 2022-23 Draft Budget

Darwin Council are also targeting a range of projects including $25 million towards the Casuarina Aquatic and Leisure Centre, which is poised to be the biggest suburb project.

A further $18 million will go towards on-going improvements at the Shoal Bay Waste Management Facility.

Interim chief executive Simone Saunders called the budget a responsible one which would ensure Council could deliver on new plans while maintaining its established ones.

“I think the budget this year is a responsible one,” Ms Saunders said.

“The Council must have a balanced budget, we can’t have a deficit and in order to continue to deliver the services that we want to maintain it comes at an additional cost.

“With the four and half rate increase the average ratepayer will see $1.50 per week increase and $1.80 if you’ve got curb side rubbish collection so over the year it’s approximately a $96 increase.”

“That’s what we need to continue to maintain our facilities and everything that already has endowment and not cut any programs and hold our staff base as well.”

THE RATE INCREASES IN YOUR COUNCIL

RATEPAYERS across the Territory are expected to pay more in the next financial year as councils prepare to increase fees.

See how your region is affected by rate hikes below:

This list will be updated as councils reveal their draft budgets.

DARWIN

Darwin Council revealed they would be upping rates by 4.5 per cent.

It is the highest rate hike in three years, but still keeps the three year average down at 2.2 per cent.

Residents took on a 2.5 per cent increase heading into the 2021-22 financial year, while the first pandemic year was eased by a 0 per cent increase.

Darwin Council are still targeting a range of projects including $25 million towards the Casuarina Aquatic and Leisure Centre and a further $18 million towards the Shoal Bay Waste Management Facility.

“We’re very aware about the rising cost of living and we want to make sure that we deliver a budget that cares for our city, but also cares about our people,” Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis said.

ALICE SPRINGS

Alice Springs council have yet to announce their draft budget.

The Red Centre took on a 2 per cent rate and fee hike in the 2021-22 financial year.

PALMERSTON

The Palmerston council have unfurled their proposed budget plans for the 2022-23 financial year with fees set to be increased by 2.9 per cent.

With a minimum hike of $30, homeowners will be paying at least $1287, up from $1257.

There is no increase to the residential waste charge which remains constant at $480.

LITCHFIELD

Homeowners in the Litchfield municipally are set to experience at least a 3 per cent rate hike according to their budget draft.

Minimum rates at residential addresses are set to jump from $948 to $976.44, a rise of $28.44.

Waste charges at residential addresses will also jump by 3 per cent from $380 to $391.40.

The percentage jump remains for rates at allotments of commercial and industrial land with the minimum rates hopping from $1695.75 to $1746.62.

Litchfield’s long term financial plan forecasts an annual increment of 5 per cent in rate increases until 2032.

ROPER GULF

Residential homes across the Roper Gulf region are expected to see a rate lift of 5 per cent for the next financial year.

Homeowners in Borroloola, Mataranka, Larrimah and Daly Waters will see a minimum increase from $1171.48 to $1230.05.

Meanwhile, homeowners on Aboriginal Land will see rates increase from $1235.21 to $1296.97.

Waste management will also see a 5 per cent rise in charges from $426.58 to $447.91.

WEST ARNHEM LAND

West Arnhem homeowners are in line for a 2 per cent rate hike heading into the next financial year.

The minimum charge for residential in the region is proposed to increase from $886 to $904.

Waste management sees a wider range of increases with Jabiru to increase from $695 to $706 (1.58 per cent), Gunbalanya and Maningrida to increase from $644 to $663 (2.95 per cent) and Minjilang and Warruwi to increase from $1002 to $1032 (3 per cent).