Alderman Kristie Johnston announced today that she is taking a stand on behalf of Glenorchy residents and seeking to limit any 2013/14 rate increase to CPI or less.
Alderman Johnston said “Glenorchy residents have been hit hard by Council’s poor financial management over the last few years. They have been subjected to approximately a 31% rate increase over the last three financial years and Council documents are forecasting a further 8% every year until 2016/2017”.
“This has to stop! Our residents do not have bottomless buckets of money which Council can keep dipping into. Many of our residents are experiencing real financial hardship and the thought of another major rate increase is simply too much.” said Alderman Johnston.
Alderman Johnston has proposed a motion for the Council meeting on 14 January (3pm, Glenorchy City Council Chambers) limiting any rate increase to CPI or less. “It seems that Council has traditionally decided what it wanted to spend and then charged the ratepayer accordingly, with little consideration about ratepayers’ capacity to pay. This year I want our ratepayers’ welfare to be paramount in our budget deliberations. Our ratepayers cannot afford any more than CPI and therefore Council should be working towards delivering our services within this financial restraint.” said Alderman Johnston
“As a Council we cannot continue to operate beyond our communities means. I urge my fellow Aldermen to stand with me start the New Year by offering our residents some rate increase relief” said Alderman Johnston.
Alderman Kristie Johnston
