RATE EQUITABILITY!

THE Northern Midlands Council is asking Launceston Airport operators to pay up on more than two years of outstanding rates. 

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 ... CLICK HERE READ MORE

There must be sympathy expressed for NMC ratepayers because otherwise, quite apart from the catchup payments of 2 years, it means that rates charged to other ordinary ratepayers will have to increase by 6% to cover the deficit.

Also the value of the Municipal Area as determined by the Valuer General is increased by the improved value of the Launceston Airport hence charges such as the Fire Services Levy charged by the State Government via NMC has to be spread over the remaining ratepayers, yet another deficit.

We also have sympathy for other municipalities such as Launceston, who have more than their fair allocation of non-ratepaying entities such as the University of Tasmania who do not pay the extra charges either, adding $millions to the rate burden of the long-suffering battlers there who pay the highest rates in the country, not to mention the Regional Facilities they fund for the benefit of Northern Tasmania.

Perhaps one day the principle of fairness will be applied across the board in all municipalities?

Lionel Morrell
President, Tasmanian Ratepayers Association Inc.