Alice Springs Rates Rise

The rate hike of 10% for Alice Springs ratepayers is unreasonable and an indication of poor financial management by the Town Council, according to Shadow Minister for Local Government and for Central Australia, Dr Richard Lim.

"When CPI is running at about 3.5%, it is a serious concern for ratepayers that the Town Council proposes to raise rates by almost three times that amount,” says Dr Lim.

"Added to the fact that the Valuer-General recently doubled the Unimproved Capital Value (UCV) of land around Alice Springs, the rate hike of 10% will create a huge financial burden on all ratepayers.

"When the Council built its 'Taj Mahal', there was widespread concern it would be a financial burden on the town.

"The Mayor's assurance that Council had the finances to cover the cost of the refurbishment now must be placed under serious scrutiny.

"Are rate payers now paying the price for this overly ambitious refurbishment?

"The list of spending proposals in today's Advocate certainly does not justify a 10% increase in rates.

"A safety audit, laneway closures, paving, installing gates at the childcare centre etc - much of this list looks to me to be routine work of Council, which should be covered by normal Council rates.

"Closure of laneways should be cost neutral. Landholders adjacent to laneways will get the land for free but should be responsible for all costs related to the laneway closure and subdivision of the lane.

"Consequently any rise in rates should be pegged to the CPI, particularly given the 7% rise in rates in 2005.

"The ratepayers of Alice Springs want to see value for money when they pay their rates.

"The Mayor has to justify this exorbitant rate increase.”

2007-05-29