Hobart sets rates rise

Increase among lowest in state, says mayor

HOBART City residents could cop a rate increase of 2.81 per cent in the 2022-23 financial year, but the Lord Mayor says it is one of the lowest increases in the state.

The rate change includes a 2.27 per cent increase in general residential rates – an average increase of $43 a year – and an additional 0.54 per cent increase to account for the state government’s new fire service levy and waste levy.

Ratepayers will have to fork out $10 a year per household for the government’s new landfill levy. The proposed maximum rate increase for commercial properties is 1.6 per cent but the average increase is estimated to be 0.63 per cent.

Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said the increase was on the lower end of the scale.

“Noting the significant costof-living pressures being faced by our residents, we are also limiting our increase in rates to one of the lowest average increases across all councils in the state, with an average total increase in residential rates of only 2.81 per cent, or $43,” said Ms Reynolds (inset).

The council’s overall budget is $225.8m, with operating expenditure of $153.8m.

The council has budgeted for capital works expenditure of $72m, including $10.1m on roads renewal, $6.1m on a new warm water pool at the Doone Kennedy Hobart Aquatic Centre and $2m for new change rooms at Queenborough Oval.

The budget also includes $3.7m for city safety and cleaning and $2.2m for events and festivals.

The budget plans to deliver a surplus of $530,000, which Ms Reynolds described as modest.

The 2.27 per cent rate rise compares with Kingborough which has set a 2.8 per cent rise a year for the next 10 years, Glenorchy, which has endorsed a 3.5 per cent increase, and Clarence, which voted for an increase of 4.82 per cent.

There are 21,660 residential properties in Hobart and 1925 commercial properties which attract an annual rates bill.

The council says it provides more than 300 services to 50,000 residents and many visitors to the city each year.

It maintains 130 parks and reserves, including 48 playgrounds and 4500ha of bushland.

The council will vote on its budget at its general council meeting on Monday.