City of Launceston council to release 2021-22 budget

City of Launceston acting mayor Danny Gibson said the proposed expenditure of $130 million for the 2021-22 financial year included $24.19 million on recreational facilities, $12 million on roads and traffic, and $5.9 million for extension capping at the Launceston Waste Centre.

The council also proposes to invest in the ongoing implementation of the My Place My Future plan, Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery program and Smart City initiatives.

IN OTHER NEWS:

Regional partnerships and a continued investment in community grants and events sponsorship also made the proposal.

Other projects in the proposed budget include $3.2 million for major road reconstruction, $1 million for urban road resealing, $750,000 for Reimaging the Gorge, $450,000 for footpath work, and $460,000 for the redevelopment of parking at Churchill Park.

Last year the council's proposed rate increase of 3.9 per cent was abandoned in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Councillor Gibson said the proposed general rate increase of 3.75 per cent for the upcoming budget was offset by the rate freeze in the previous financial year.

Though the council budgeted for a $7.1 million underlying deficit in 2021-22, Cr Gibson said the council remained in a strong financial position.

"Through careful and prudent planning aligned to our long-term finance plan, we are confident the council will return to a full surplus by 2025-26," he said.

However the flow on effects of the pandemic, particularly with the Community Care and Recovery Package designed to help businesses recover, did hurt the council's bottom line.

"I firmly believe that the $8.7 million package ... went a long way to help protect our community and our businesses from the impacts of the pandemic," Cr Gibson said.

"On the flip side, it did result in the council taking a significant hit to its bottom line and it will continue to do so over the next three or four years."

The council will also see challenging waste and recycling charges, with the City of Launceston budgeting for a 10.4 per cent increase.

Increasing depreciation costs, and increasing operating costs of the two museum sites and University of Tasmania Stadium will also be issues the council will continue to address.

Cr Gibson encouraged all residents and ratepayers to read the proposed budget when it's released and make a submission.

Submissions to the budget can be made by email to Proposedbudget2022@launceston.tas.gov.au or in writing addressed to the Chief Executive Officer, City of Launceston, PO Box 396, Launceston 7250, until 5pm on May 7.

.