Tasmanians For Reform spokeswoman Mary Massina yesterday accused the councils of ripping off ratepayers by increasing the charge well in excess of the one per cent Consumer Price Index figure for greater Hobart.

But LGAT chief executive Allan Garcia said the Consumer Price Index was not a good benchmark for council rates and bore no resemblance to council cost structures, which were largely driven by infrastructure and salaries.

He said the association's council cost index, which sat at 3.05 per cent for 2013-14, better reflected the true cost of council business.

``The Council Cost Index indicates the average rate increase required to maintain current levels of service, assuming other revenue sources, such as grants, also increase in line with costs,'' Mr Garcia.

LGAT president Barry Easther said the increasing regulatory requirements drove costs of local government business higher as it did for infrastructure costs with depreciation standards imposed on councils much higher than those required of other levels of government.

This week, Devonport approved a 1.6 per cent rate rise, Glenorchy approved a 4 per cent rise - half of that approved last year - and Launceston will next week consider a 3 per cent rise.

West Tamar has approved a 3.6 per cent rise.

Launceston Mayor Albert van Zetten said he believed  Launceston's increase provided a balance between affordability for ratepayers and the provision of costly services and facilities.