Roger Jaensch,Minister for Local Government and Planning
As a former Mayor herself, Ms Dow should know that setting rates is a matter for each council, and the Minister for Local Government and Planning plays no role in such operational matters.
Also, if the Shadow Minister for Local Government understood the council’s new rating system, she would know that it is now in line with most other councils in Tasmania.
The truth is that while some ratepayers will pay more than they have been, many others will pay the same or less, and all ratepayers will benefit from the council moving to a more sustainable rating model than it had in the past.
I know this because I met with the Glamorgan-Spring Bay Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and General Manager in Triabunna last week to discuss concerns that community members had raised with me.
I also encouraged the council to continue to engage with residents to ensure that the changes are clearly explained and options are provided for people who may experience hardship because of these changes.
The council’s website provides information about the rate changes.
I encourage residents to engage with the council to fully understand how the changes may affect them, and I encourage Labor to get all the facts before they attack local councils.
