The Northern Midlands Council says the airport consistently fails to contribute its fair share of ex-gratia rates as determined by the Tasmanian State Valuer-General.

But Launceston Airport general manager Paul Hodgen said the airport was in full compliance with its obligations under the lease of the airport site from the Commonwealth.

“This has dragged on now for more than three years and there is no sign of this government stepping up to the plate,” Mr Mitchell said.

“I think the Launceston airport rates saga stinks … [and] I am in ongoing discussions with senior Labor figures and am very keen on finding a long-term solution.”

His comments come just days before Northern Midlands mayor David Downie and the council’s general manager Des Jennings will meet with federal Infrastructure Minister Darren Cheste.

“We received another valuation that was instigated by the infrastructure department, we weren’t happy with that valuation so we made representations to [Tasmanian Liberal] Senator Jonathon Duniam, and he has sympathy with our argument, and said he would seek a meeting with the minister,” Cr Downie said. 

He said there was a fundamental different between the federal valuation of the airport land compared to the Tasmanian government’s valuation.

“The minister is responsible for managing Commonwealth land and we believe he should be enforcing the condition of the lease, which is that the airport pay rate equivalents,” Cr Downie said.

Mr Hodgen also welcomed the removal of signage erected by the council throughout the municipality as “a show of good faith”.

“Launceston Airport encourages the Northern Midlands Council to enter into a formal documented agreement with the airport, to outline the future conduct of ex-gratia rate equivalent payments, in line with the independent valuation methodology adopted by the Commonwealth,” he said.

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