Nth Midlands Council Holds Federal Govt. to Account.

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"NORTHERN Midlands ratepayers have been told they will need to stump up $148, and an additional $45 every year after, to cover the $1 million rates debt left by Launceston Airport. 

The Northern Midlands Council wrote to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Tuesday, calling for the Commonwealth to take ‘‘immediate’’ steps to terminate Australia Pacific Airports Corporation’s lease on Launceston Airport. 

 It also sent letters to its 12,000 residents, advising them of the impact caused by the debt – 12 per cent of the council’s income. 

In the letter to Mr Turnbull, the council said it was disappointed that Infrastructure and Regional Development Minister Warren Truss had not taken action regarding the three-year rates debt. The council is not privy to the airport’s land contract with the federal government, but said it assumed clauses similar to the following were included: 

 ●  Clause 26.1: The lessee must pay, on or before the due date, all rates, land tax and taxes without contribution from the lessor. 

 ●  Clause 26.2 (a): Where rates are not payable under sub-clause 26.1 because the airport site is owned by the Commonwealth, the lessee must promptly pay to the relevant government authority such amount as may be notified to the lessee by such government authority as being equivalent to the amount which would be payable for rates as if such rates were leviable or payable in respect of the airport site. 

Northern Midlands mayor David Downie said that as it had no jurisdiction on Commonwealth land, the federal government must pursue the airport.

‘‘The Commonwealth as lessor is entitled to take steps pursuant to the lease in the event of a breach of the tenant obligations,’’ Cr Downie said. 

‘‘On the basis of the above information, the Northern Midlands Council requests the Commonwealth government take immediate steps to terminate its lease with the Australia Pacific Airports Corporation for breach of its obligation to make ex gratia payments to council. 

‘‘The corporation at this time is in arrears of over $1 million. 

 ‘‘The Northern Midlands Council welcomes a meeting with you as Prime Minister to remedy this injustice to our local community.’’ .... END OF ARTICLE

Mayor David  Downie  must be congratulated for taking the argument right up to the Federal Government on behalf of his constituency. 

Prime Minister Turnbull, hopefully, will be able to see the justice that needs to be delivered here. 

Minister Warren Truss, , when he answered Eric Hutchinson's question in parliament offered only the faintest of hope to North Midlands' ratepayers, overdosed as his answer was with more that the usual amount 'polly-waffle'. 

Speaking of politicians, given that the 'place' in question is "Launceston Airport", the member for Bass, the adjoining electorate, has been extraordinarily quiet despite his predilection for 'noisyness' during question time in parliament. 

Not a squeak out of him in support of reasonableness, at least not a squeak that anyone can hear. 

While ratepayers are about to receive $148 bills for Launceston Airport's apparent, or alleged, recalcitrance, one imagines that ratepayers know that their Mayor and council is on their side and actually representing their interests with due diligence. 

Even if it is a speculation, one can imagine Nth Midlands Council managing Launceston Airport, and making a good fist of it, at the expense of its current managers who it seems are (were?) so intent on ripping off the ratepayers. 

Mayor Downie and his fellow councillors are setting a standard that should not be extraordinary and while doing so setting a benchmark in Local Governance that is refreshing to witness.