Bid to lower Burnie rates

The Burnie City Council will be asked to reconsider its planned 7.88 % cent rates rise for the next financial year.

In a motion to be tabled at Tuesday’s monthly meeting for April, former mayor and current councillor Steve Kons, is proposing almost halving the increase to maximum rise of 4.5%.

In his motion, Councillor Kons says the revised figure equals the consumer price index, plus 1%.

He says in the current cost of living crisis, the council has a moral and ethical obligation to show restraint in revenue raising.

Coouncil gneral manager Simon Overland says the motion goes against the council’s four-year financial management strategy, which was adopted only last month.