GLENORCHY RATE PAIN TO CONTINUE

Alderman Kristie Johnston expressed her deep disappointment this afternoon at the failure of all her fellow Aldermen (Mayor Slade, Deputy Mayor Nielsen, Aldermen Lowrie, Pearce, Lucas, Ridler, Branch-Allen, King, Stevenson and Carnes) to join her in ending the rate pain for Glenorchy ratepayers in 2013/14. The unsuccessful motion would have limited the rate increase in 2013/14 to CPI or less.

Alderman Johnston said “This is a very sad day for ratepayers in Glenorchy. When presented with a simple choice to either give some rate relief to long suffering ratepayers or to continue to bleed them dry for another year, a majority of Glenorchy’s Aldermen chose the later! This is perhaps unsurprising given that a quarter of the Aldermen don’t even live in Glenorchy!”

“I’ve chosen to stand up for our ratepayers and say enough is enough. It would have meant that we needed to make some tough decision but our ratepayers are worth the effort” said Alderman Johnston.

“I think my fellow Aldermen have clearly underestimated the strong feeling in the community about these unreasonable rate increases. They can justify their position all they like by saying that they are reviewing policy, but in the eyes of ratepayers talk is cheap. It is action that counts and there is precious little of that at Glenorchy!”

“They may have defeated this rate relief motion but I will not rest until our ratepayers are given a fair go and treated with the respect that they deserve. I urge Glenorchy ratepayers to contact me and join in my campaign for rate relief” said Alderman Johnston.

Voting record
For: Alderman Johnston
Against: Mayor Slade, Deputy Mayor Nielsen, Aldermen Lowrie, Pearce, Lucas, Ridler, Branch-Allen, King, Stevenson and Carnes
Absent: Alderman Martin apology due to work related commitments meeting with tourism operators in bushfire disaster areas.
Alderman Kristie Johnston