Glenorchy Mayor Kristie Johnston apologies to ratepayers
GLENORCHY’s mayor has apologised to residents after the council last night formally approved a 12.5 per cent rate rise.
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GLENORCHY’s mayor has apologised to residents after the council last night formally approved a 12.5 per cent rate rise next financial year.
Glenorchy Mayor Kristie Johnston and Glenorchy City Council general manager Tony McMullen announced the rate increase for the 2018-19 financial year at a community meeting last week.
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The council unanimously approved the rise at its meeting last night, with households to expect a rates increase on average of $134 per year.
The rise was because of the cost of an $887,000 Board of Inquiry report into the former council’s mismanagement. Alderman Johnston apologised to the community for having to pay for the mismanagement of former council members.
“The council appreciates the frustration of the community that those people who have done the wrong thing have gotten away scot-free,” she said. “But it ensures our future that we have a viable council.”
Ald Johnston said there had been a lack of justice for those who did the wrong thing by ratepayers.
“Even if criminal charges are laid no money will come back to the council,” she said.
The council revealed last week it would also begin selling assets to ease the burden on ratepayers, including the Derwent Entertainment Centre, which costs $1 million a year to run.
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An Integrity Commission report handed down in State Parliament last month made findings against two former senior Glenorchy City Council officers and a former mayor over attempts to improperly gain financial benefits of up to $1 million.
The commission investigated the conduct of former Glenorchy general manager Peter Brooks, director of corporate governance and general counsel Seva Iskandarli and former mayor and alderman Stuart Slade.
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