Rates up 4% in South

RESIDENTS in the Kingborough and Huon Valley areas will cop rate rises of 4 per cent next financial year after both councils increased fees and charges last night.

Kingborough Councillor Dean Winter said the general rates fee for his area had increased by 4 per cent for more than 10 straight years and total fees had gone up 50 per cent in that time. Cr Winter said rates had risen 17 per cent during this term of council alone.

The fees include a new stormwater charge of $58, an increase in the garbage collection fee from $98 to $142 and a jump in the recycling fee from $54 to $56.

“The median Kingborough household will pay almost $90 extra to council next year as a result of this decision,” Cr Winter said.

“I just don’t think the residents will tolerate this anymore and I don’t think they should. As a resident and ratepayer myself I am over it.”

The council also decided its $14.4 million capital works program last night, with $5.7 million to the Kingston Park development, $4.6 million towards roads, bridges and jetties, $1.3 million to equipment, $1.1 million to property and $1 million to stormwater.

The Huon Valley Council last night also approved a rate rise of 3.95 per cent. Huon Valley Commissioner Adriana Taylor said it was in line with the council’s 10-year plan.

The council also approved its $2.5 million capital works program, including a project to help manage flooding of the Huon River. Ms Taylor said the council had received a $1.6 million federal grant for the project – $1.1 million coming from the council and the remainder to likely come from a State Government loan scheme.

A further $400,000 was allocated to build a 50-spot car park in Huonville.

Ms Taylor said money would also be set aside to help pay for plans for a Channel Highway bypass to divert motorists coming from Cygnet into Huonville. She said the State Government had promised $7.5 million during the election to fund the project, with council funds to be allocated if the pledge is granted in today’s State Budget.

Meanwhile, a petition with 1217 signatures was also presented to council last night calling for a public meeting on the proposed $42 million woodchip export facility at Strathblane near Dover. Ms Taylor said a decision on the meeting would be made at a special council meeting on June 28.