Darwin Blog

Council has delivered their latest budget which will see a 4.5 per cent rate increase while looking to drive new projects across the CBD and the suburbs.

This comes after residents faced a zero-rate increase in 2020-21 and a 2.5 per cent increase in the 2021-22 year.

Residential and commercial properties will see an increase of $1.50 a week while kerbside waste collection will increase by 29 cents.

Meanwhile, parking in the CBD is likely to increase by 10 cents.

Darwin lord mayor Kon Vatskalis described the budget as sustainable.

“We’re very aware about the rising cost of living and we want to make sure that we deliver a budget that cares for our city, but also cares about our people,” Mr Vatskalis said.

“For many people Darwin is a small city but not many people know there are 122sq/km. We’ve got roads and parks to maintain and we maintain and rely on our workforce to deliver services.

“During the two years of the pandemic Darwin Council stepped up and did its part to stimulate the Darwin economy.

“We had a zero-rate increase in 2020-21 in the first year of the pandemic and then a minimal 2.5 per cent rates rise last year.

“But we have now entered a different economic period affected by rising construction costs and a nation-wide shortage of skilled labour.”

Interim CEO Simone Saunders with lord mayor Kon Vatskalis at the unveiling of the 2022-23 Draft Budget

Darwin Council are also targeting a range of projects including $25 million towards the Casuarina Aquatic and Leisure Centre, which is poised to be the biggest suburb project.

A further $18 million will go towards on-going improvements at the Shoal Bay Waste Management Facility.

Interim chief executive Simone Saunders called the budget a responsible one which would ensure Council could deliver on new plans while maintaining its established ones.

“I think the budget this year is a responsible one,” Ms Saunders said.

“The Council must have a balanced budget, we can’t have a deficit and in order to continue to deliver the services that we want to maintain it comes at an additional cost.

“With the four and half rate increase the average ratepayer will see $1.50 per week increase and $1.80 if you’ve got curb side rubbish collection so over the year it’s approximately a $96 increase.”

“That’s what we need to continue to maintain our facilities and everything that already has endowment and not cut any programs and hold our staff base as well.”

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