Council’s approved budget shows minimal rate rise

Published on 24 June 2019

The Devonport City Council’s 2019/20 Budget – approved at tonight’s Council meeting - includes a general rate rise equating to little more than half of the Consumer Price Index for most ratepayers.

Over the past five years while the CPI has increased by 8.1% the city’s general rate has only risen by 2.1%, which included four consecutive years of zero increases.

Most property owners will pay an extra $10-$20 in their general rate plus a $10 increase in their waste management charge, the first increase in waste charges in two years.

The majority of commercial customers, who receive three times the collection frequency of residential customers, will see an increase of $30 in their waste management charge, but no increase in their general rate.

Mayor Rockliff also said Council had to factor into its Budget a 5.14% increase in the State Fire Levy.  “Ratepayers need to remember this is a State Government charge, and one which Council is required to collect and forward directly to them,” she said.

Mayor Rockliff said the Budget would ensure Devonport remained in a strong position while continuing to provide value for money for ratepayers and deliver on an exciting plan for the future.

The 2019/20 Capital Works program outlines a total spend of $16.79 million, with almost $4 million expected to come from external funding.

Among the public open space and recreation projects to be undertaken are a renovation of the main Valley Road soccer ground ($182,000), a Mersey Bluff inclusive playground ($96,000) and a new Bluff Beach accessible ramp ($100,000).

The Northern Rooke Street renewal ($1 million), a resealing program ($700,000), Coastal Pathway contribution ($600,000), Holyman Street road surface and footpath renewal ($490,000), Berrigan Road-Lyons Avenue intersection safety improvements ($400,000 funded by the Federal Government’s Black Spot Program), Fenton and Stewart Streets intersection safety improvements ($415,000 also funded by the Federal Government’s Black Spot Program), Stewart Street renewal from William to Gunn Streets ($405,000) are the major transport projects while the $1 million Oldaker Street (eastern end) stormwater catchment is the main stormwater project.

$150,000 has also been allocated for the construction of toilet facilities at the new Miandetta Park playground.

Mayor Rockliff said the coming financial year promised to be an active time in Devonport with early work having begun on the privately funded $40 million hotel development on the corner of Best and Rooke Streets, a continuation of the LIVING CITY masterplan strategy.

The Waterfront Park is a $15 million construction project which will be two-thirds funded by a $10 million Federal Government grant. The construction tender for the project is expected to be let in August.

ENDS

Media Contact

Nigel Tapp |Media & Communications Officer |Devonport City Council

03 6424 0562 | 0427 132 972 |[email protected]