Alderman Philip Cocker last night voted against significant rate rises put forward at Monday night’s council meeting.
“I cannot support these rises as I don’t believe as a council we have done the work to reduce our expenditure Alderman Cocker said.
“If we are going to inflict large rises on the ratepayer then I believe it is incumbent on us as Alderman to undertake the work and find savings.
“There are number of savings that could and should be made as part of a prid pro quo with ratepayers”.
“The examples I gave of possible soft savings include major expenditures like the Taste of Tasmania.
“We were advised by experts years ago that we should make this event self funding to ensure it’s survival and yet we continue to ignore that advice and plough 600-700 thousand dollars a year in to an event that should be capable of paying for it’s self Alderman Cocker said”
“Alderman Cocker said that another example would be carols by the bay where what should be a community based simple celebration now requires council to fund it to the tune of $250 000 for a three hour concert.
“We should give it back to the community and offer some in kind assistance but let it fund itself”.
Alderman Cocker also asked his fellow Alderman to consider as a meaningful act to commit to adhering the Council policy on conference travel and expenditure.
Alderman Cocker also attacked the decision to spend $18 million on a new car park in Argyle Street.
“If the council believes that attracting more cars to the city is the best plan for the city then I fear the city is doomed, Alderman Cocker said.
“The only way this project will be a financial success is if the cost of oil and transport remains constant which is very unlikely.
“Only last week one of the world’s most conservative respected organisations Lloyds was discussing oil at $200 a barrel.
“Spending 18 millions dollars on business as usual is highly risky and will put more pressure on rates in future years Alderman Cocker said.
