More than $26.5 million worth of capital works have been proposed in the City of Launceston’s 2017-18 annual budget.
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The budget includes an underlying surplus of $1.3 million and a general increase to rates and charges of 1.5 per cent.
Launceston mayor Albert van Zetten said the proposed budget would allow the council to undertake a number of exciting projects.
“[It includes] $7.3 million worth of road upgrades, $60,000 to allow the installation of a flood monitoring CCTV network, $585,000 for a Newstead flood levee, a $119,000 upgrade of the amenities at the Lilydale Community Hall, $365,000 worth of footpath upgrades, and much more,” he said.
“The council's goal is to keep rates as low as possible, while continuing to enhance its services and facilities to meet community expectations.”
Ald van Zetten said it was important for Launceston residents to let the council know what the community’s priorities are so it can be accommodated in future budgets.
“I encourage the community to provide feedback on the proposed budget, as setting the budget each year is one of the most important activities the council undertakes,” he said.
“In setting the budget, we need to take into account the many different needs of the Launceston community, and this is often a challenging task.”
At Monday’s council meeting the Aldermen also voted to send the mayor to the University of Tasmania's ‘UniverCities’ event in Europe next month, at an estimated cost of $8000.
The University requested that a representative of the City of Launceston attend the event, and also invited members of the Hobart and Burnie city councils.
Ald van Zetten said UTAS had offered to pay for a council representative to attend the trip, but Aldermen felt it was more appropriate for the council to maintain its independence by funding the costs from its budget.
However, the decision was questioned by Ald Ted Sands, Ald Danny Gibson and a member of the public.
The reasons as to why the itinerary of the trip was deemed confidential was a major sticking point, as well as “inadequate” communication of the university’s behalf.
Alderman Sands said he was passionate about not funding the trip because it would be of little benefit and instead “be a junket”.