Hobart City residents face $125 rate rise

THE Hobart City Council is considering a rate rise of 3.25 per cent, which would equate to an additional $125 a year for an average residential ratepayer.

According to the council’s proposed budget and estimates, released yesterday, the rate rise would fund an increased cost of providing council services.

Increases for most residential properties are estimated to range between $100 and $160.

If the budget is adopted, total rates revenue next financial year would be $81.48 million, an increase of $3.57 million on the previous year.

The budget is expected to generate a surplus of $1.3 million, and up to $20 million of new borrowing have been in- cluded to fund the council’s expanded capital works program.

Major projects to receive funding in the coming year include: A PEDESTRIAN bridge over the Tasman Highway between the Cenotaph and Soldiers’ Memorial Avenue ($6.7 million). LENAH Valley retail precinct plan implementation ($2 million). DOONE Kennedy Hobart Aquatic Centre upgrades ($1.02 million). NEW playing surface for TCA Ground ($1.276 million). MT Wellington/kunanyi track works ($1.42 million). PUBLIC toilet upgrades eight sites ($1.7 million). TOLMANS Hill playground ($300,000).

The council’s agreement with Myer in relation to the retailer’s new Liverpool St store at requires the council to make payments to Myer if sales targets are not met.

The maximum amount payable under the agreement is $875,000, which has been included in the 2017-18 budget.

Parking fine income is expected to increase by $389,000, partly due to an increase in the penalty unit fees set by the State Government — an average of 50c per fine — but also because of the use of technology to detect vehicle overstay.

Car park fees and charges are expected to increase by 2.3 per cent because of a fee rise and predicted increase in car park use. On-street parking collections are expected to increase by 6.7 per cent.

The budget estimates will be considered by the council’s finance committee on Tuesday, and the full council on July 3.