LETTER: Power, water hikes will drive up council rates

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Sir – The Alice Springs Town Council will, unfortunately, be compelled to pass on the recently announced Power and Water Corporation price increases. Council has always tried to keep rate increases to a minimum and therefore any additional significant costs simply cannot be absorbed within next year’s proposed budget.
 
Council will undergo an budget review on the December 10 as well as looking at implementing ongoing energy efficiency measures across the organisation. Due to this dramatic increase in power and water cost, a rate rise is certain, however just how much will be determined pending the outcome of the 2013/2014 budget preparations and ongoing energy efficiency measures.
 
Based on current budget estimates, the increases in power, water and sewer cost to Council for the six month period between January and June 2013 are $375,000.  For the 2013/2014 financial year Council will then need to find a further $750,000 to cover forecast Power and Water corporation price increase.
 
Council releases the pressure this places on ratepayers and will certainly do all that it can to keep these increases to a minimum. Council will continue to working with the Local Government Association NT (LGANT), to lobby the NT Government on these matters.
 
Damien Ryan
Mayor

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