Huon Valley Council votes in favour of 12 per cent rates increase
Ratepayers in the Huon Valley are about to be hit with a mammoth bill increase, but the council’s mayor says it’s worth it for the services provided. DETAILS >>
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Ratepayers in the Huon Valley will have to pay an extra 12 per cent on top of their rates next financial year after a vote on Wednesday, but the council’s mayor says it’s worth it to get the council into a budget surplus.
As part of the council’s 10-year financial plan, the general rate increase will rise by 12 per cent in the next financial year, eight per cent in the 2024-25 financial year, six per cent in 2025-26 and four per cent in each of the following years of the plan.
The council voted in favour of the increase on Wednesday but during the meeting, one councillor suggested a smaller increase for the first year.
“As we should all be aware, we are experiencing extreme pressure from inflation and high interest rates and it is causing stress on households, businesses and individuals,” Cr Andrew Burgess said.
“I agree we must move towards operating in surplus, what I don’t agree with is to do it in two years we have to impose a 12 per cent increase in the first year.
“I would like to see eight per cent in the first year which is much closer to CPI, which is 7.1 per cent for this financial year.”
Mr Burgess said it would mean the council returned to a surplus a year later than projected.
A council director said the surplus in the fourth year would be “tiny”.
“Changing the 12 per cent for next year to eight would increase our forecast deficit quite considerably,” he said.
“At the moment, the budget papers show a deficit of $1.28m, if we change that to eight per cent it will be something more in the vicinity of $1.85m.
“It doesn’t provide any contingencies for emergencies and unexpected events.”
Mr Burgess’ proposed amendment was not supported.
Huon Valley mayor Sally Doyle acknowledged ratepayers were dealing with increased costs.
“The 12 per cent is hard for the first year but it is worth it to get out of where we are,” Ms Doyle said.
“There is hardship, people can come and apply for the hardship.”
Ms Doyle said the council provided a lot of services.
“For the public that don’t realise … we have three cemeteries, we have two sport centres and one outdoor pool, we have nine recreation grounds, 21 public marine facilities, 14 playgrounds and parks, four skate parks, two medical centres, three childcare centre, three retirement villages, three waste transfer stations, 712km of roading … 18 community halls and venues, 22 public toilets,” she said.
“We have our community wellbeing program, we have emergency management and economic and development, climate change mitigation, we have extensive kerbside delivery, we have NRM weed management programs, we have environmental health, food business assessment and on site waste management, we have our building and plumbing regulations, delivery and maintenance of new and existing capital projects, frontline customer service, compliance enforcement and roadside tree management and footpath cleaning and graffiti removal.”
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Originally published as Huon Valley Council votes in favour of 12 per cent rates increase
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