The Glenorchy City Council has voted to wipe out its deficit in this council’s term to maximise strategic investment opportunities for the rapidly growing municipal area into the future, while maintaining infrastructure and service delivery.
Glenorchy Mayor Bec Thomas said the 2023-24 budget recommendations demonstrate a commitment to service provision in both the short and longer term.
“Glenorchy’s population is continuing to grow, and this means there is a growing demand for services.
“We firmly believe that as a council, we should be providing quality infrastructure and services to best support our communities, such as quality roads and footpaths, stormwater and flood mitigation and recreation spaces.”
The Council passed a budget with a general rate increase of 8.95 per cent and a total bill increase of 7.48 per cent when increases to waste charges and the state fire levy are factored in.
“We understand the cost-of-living pressures many people are facing. We are mindful of the need to keep rates as low as possible while maintaining our fiscal responsibility.
“For most households, this increase equates to between two and three dollars a week.”
Mayor Thomas said this budget would allow the council to continue investing in the community and the municipal area.
“From 2016 to 2021, Glenorchy’s population grew by more than six per cent, and that rate has increased since, meaning more houses are being built all the time.
“In the past financial year alone, the council took on responsibility for more than $16 million worth of infrastructure linked to subdivision developments, on top of the $1 billion worth of existing community assets we have the responsibility to maintain.
“Like many councils, Glenorchy has been absorbing sharp cost increases of up to 30 per cent for some materials and services. We need to be able to find that money in order to keep providing the level of infrastructure or municipal area needs without going into more debt.
“This council is determined not to leave a legacy of a large deficit which may curtail the council’s ability to invest on behalf of the community into the future.
“By zeroing our deficit, we open up more opportunities to make well-founded strategic investments to improve our municipality and make Glenorchy an even better place to live and work.”
The budget is forecasting a $3.64 million deficit, an improvement of nearly $900,000 on the previous financial year.
Mayor Thomas said council would continue to invest in services that matter for the community.
“Our municipality, and the people who live here, are worth investing in. We are determined to lay a platform for that to keep happening – this term and the next,” she said.
Budget Highlights
- $10.8 million to resurface 12km of roads and replace 9km of footpaths.
- $16.8 million for major projects (Giblins Reserve, soccer facilities at KGV and Chigwell and 10 playground renewals).
- $2.3 million for a new public toilet at Windermere Bay, Berriedale Bay track upgrades, replacement of picnic shelters, seating, tables and barbecues.
- $1.7 million for stormwater works.