This is according to the council, which has been seeking a meeting with federal Infrastructure Minister Warren Truss to intervene in the matter for some months.

Paul Hodgen, general manager of the Launceston Airport, which is owned by Australia Pacific Airports Corporation, said on Tuesday he could not comment  because the matter was before the courts.

Airports are located on Commonwealth land and, while exempt from paying regular council rates by state legislation, their operators are required to pay a ‘‘rate equivalent’’.

According to Northern Midlands Mayor David Downie, since a revised valuation of airport land by the Valuer-General in 2013 – that recommended a 50 per cent increase in the rates – the Launceston Airport was not only paying less than the recommended new valuation but less than what it had done so previously.

‘‘This is despite an understanding by councils that clause 26 of their Commonwealth lease requires that they make ‘rate equivalent’ payment,’’ Cr Downie said.

‘‘According to advice, council has no legal standing in seeking to enforce ‘rate equivalent’ payments and is reliant on the lessor, the Australian government, to enforce compliance with the airport leases.’’

Mr Downie said the airport debt represented about 6 per cent of the council’s annual rate income.

The council has put forward a motion to the Australian Local Government Association for discussion in June.