BE AWARE AND ALERT: IT'S AN ELECTION YEAR FOR COUNCILS

The National Automobile Museum Of Tasmania's chairman Harry Williscroft and manager Phil Costello look at the Lindsay Street site that the museum will move into to make way for the UTAS expansion. Picture

APRIL 5 2018 - 3:00PM Approval for operating budget, council fees on agenda for City of Launceston meeting Lucy Stone .......................... City of Launceston council will continue efforts to amend its planning scheme to allow for the relocation of the National Automobile Museum to the Riveredge industrial precinct. .......................... The council is seeking to modify a clause in the Launceston Interim Planning Scheme 2015 that restricts development within the precinct, which is also covered by the 2008 Invermay-Inveresk Flood Deed of Agreement with the state government. .......................... The clause, if amended, would specifically allow only for a museum within the precinct, but no other large community meeting or entertainment areas. .......................... Local Government Minister Peter Gutwein wrote to the council in December last year saying he was satisfied the Deed did not prohibit a museum and it did not need to be amended. .......................... A letter from the Tasmanian Planning Commission to the council, dated February 2, noted the commission was “not satisfied” the proposed amendment would “clarify, simplify or remove an anomaly” from the planning scheme. .......................... The Commission recommended a period of public exhibition, which was completed. .......................... At Monday’s council meeting, the council will consider the next steps in presenting the four public representations and a report to the commission, seeking approval to amend the clause. .......................... The council will also consider releasing its proposed 2018-2019 operating budget and annual plan for public comment. .......................... Council fees for the 2018-2019 financial year will be considered, requiring an absolute majority of aldermen for approval. .......................... The proposed new playground at the Cataract Gorge will also be up for approval at Monday’s City of Launceston council meeting. .......................... The $650,000 proposal was first announced in December last year, and sparked some backlash amid concerns further development would negatively impact the relatively natural landscape around First Basin. .......................... The new playground would raise the ground level of the existing plat area by 3.3 metres to be in line with the pathway below the Basin Cafe to reduce the risk of flood damage, with a ‘gentle slope’ down to the swimming pool. .......................... Aspects of heritage and culture are also considered within the application, with several submissions received by council from stakeholders expressing concern about the need for increased parking and easy access to the Basin.

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APRIL 8 2018  City of Launceston Council to release 2018-2019 operating budget for public comment Lucy Stone.......................... Residents can expect a 2.8 per cent rise in general rates under the City of Launceston’s 2018-2019 budget, now released for public comment. .......................... The median residential rate for the municipality is now $1469.24, including a $172.58 Fire Service Levy and $105 for waste charges – an average rise of $42.68 since last year. .......................... The residential rates charge includes a $4 charge for one entry token to the waste centre. .......................... Rates for primary production are expected to increase by 1.17 per cent. .......................... City of Launceston mayor Albert van Zetten said he believed the rates had been kept as low as possible in a complicated budget under pressure from “extraneous” costs. .......................... A reduced TasWater distribution, increase in depreciation and ongoing maintenance costs, an increase in labour costs after EBA negotiations, and the cost of upcoming local government elections in October, all placed pressure on the budget, he said. .......................... The council has also resolved to pass on the Fire Service Levy to all retirement homes, which the council collects on behalf of the state government. .......................... Alderman van Zetten said retirement homes had been receiving a rates remission for the levy, with the council shouldering the bill. .......................... “That has meant that the council's ratepayers have effectively been subsidising that remission,” he said. .......................... "We no longer believe that is sustainable nor equitable for council and its ratepayers.” .......................... Alderman van Zetten said the council had faced “a number of challenges” in establishing the operating budget but had determined to maintain a $188,000 underlying surplus. .......................... The 2017-2018 underlying surplus was $1.3 million. .......................... A capital expenditure of $20.8 million is also proposed, including $5.43 million for road upgrades, and $2.1 million for UTAS Stadium and Invermay Park. .......................... Public submissions will end on April 30, with council making final determinations on the annual budget and rates on June 18.

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EDITOR'S NOTE: Resident's and ratepayers need to be mindful the this year is an ELECTION YEAR for councils. In recent times this council has borrowed extraordinary amounts of money for questionable infrastructure and what could turn out to be sweet heart deals made behind closed doors. Given the confidentiality of just about every expenditure ( the Mayor's “extraneous” costs) ratepayers need to be extra vigilant in regard to this budget given that each time a rock is turned over another 'expense' turns up. 

This Saturday it appears as if Council is launching ahead with the appointment of a Cultural Officer seemingly to head up a new 'council unit' before a community consultation process is completed and new consultants have handed their advice to Council. WHY IS THIS? WHAT ARE THE COST IMPLICATIONS?

A close examination of the budget will almost surely expose more than a few financial follies and there is not a lot of time available. It will be easier to look the other way AGAIN but it really is time for a RETHINK ... given that it is an election year!!