Public Consultation on Draft 2024-25 Council Budget

This engagement is now closed.  All submissions received were considered by Council at its meeting on 3 June 2024, where the 2024/25 Budget was finalised.  Submissions were collated into a report and tabled at this meeting. View the Community Engagement Report and details of the budget approval.

This year, Council proposed a 12% increase in rates which for the average residential ratepayer is $232 per annum or approximately $4.50 per week (figures based on a home worth $650,000).

View the Draft 2024/25 Budget .

To view the Snapshot (a brief outline of the allocations of each of the different areas within the Council’s 2024/25 Draft Budget).

How can you provide your input?

Feedback can be provided to Council via written or emailed submissions. All feedback will be given to Councillors as they consider the draft budget.

Feedback can be provided from Wednesday 3 April until 1 May 2024 by either:

• Emailing kc@kingborough.tas.gov.au
• Or writing to the General Manager at 15 Channel Hwy, Kingston 7050.

Why are we increasing Rates?

In recent times, Council has faced challenges with rising costs associated with maintaining and building infrastructure projects.

These increased expenses have had a noticeable effect on the financial position of Council, with an operating loss of $ 2.3 million projected for the current financial year and $2.9 million projected for the 24/25 financial year.

Increasing costs also means our assets are worth more. This results in significantly more depreciation costs to Council. Depreciation is the loss of value of our assets as they age, wear out or become obsolete.

Along with an increase cost for maintenance, Council has been investing in our community assets such as roads, stormwater and sport and recreational facilities so that our community is supported as it continues to grow. This includes adapting to the community’s expectations around high levels of service. As the cost of construction continues to rise, it has become necessary for us to improve our position.

This will mean we can adequately maintain and eventually replace our community assets worth more than $850 million which includes roads, footpaths, stormwater systems and our facilities like the Kingborough Sports Centre and Kingston Park. All of these play a role in making sure the community has the facilities it needs to thrive now and into the future. We must make sure that Council has the necessary money to carry out this vital work.

Council is responsible for a wide range of community services and facilities.

Why are rates going up now?

Just as households have seen prices increase Council has too. Over the past four years, Council has been keeping rate rises low, ensuring we didn’t add to the economic stresses brought on by the impact of Covid-19 from 2020 – 2022.

Last year when inflation was very high Kingborough kept the rate increases far lower than many other Councils. With costs continuing to rise, this means an increase is now necessary to meet the growing demands for service within our community.

We also need to make sure that we have enough resources for the future to replace and maintain our community assets. The operating loss for 23/24 financial year is $2.3M and the draft operating loss for 24/25 is $2.9M.

Please see some of the capital projects proposed for the 24/25 financial year below:

Financial help with paying rates

Council understands that some community members may have difficulty paying their rates during times of financial hardship. That’s why we encourage anyone to reach out to us for assistance on 6211 8200 or via email kc@kingborough.tas.gov.au . Our team can then work with you to establish a payment schedule that aligns with your individual circumstances, in accordance with our Hardship policy.