Rates fund the essential services and facilities that support daily life in the George Town municipality, from rubbish collection and local roads to planning, parks and stormwater management.
Council has adopted the 2025/2026 budget, which includes a 4.5% increase in general rates. This decision supports the delivery of essential services, infrastructure maintenance, and long-term financial sustainability in the face of rising costs. While we strive to keep rates as low as possible, this increase reflects the need to:
- Maintain high-quality community services and facilities
- Responsibly manage and renew Council assets
- Address inflationary pressures and increased service delivery costs
Ratepayers will also notice an increase in waste management charges. This is due to a rise in the State Government’s Landfill Levy and increased costs to transport and dispose of waste at the Launceston landfill site.
How Rates Are Calculated
Council’s Rates and Charges Policy uses the Assessed Annual Rental (AAR) method, which ensures all residential ratepayers within a location contribute fairly to the cost of delivering and maintaining infrastructure and services.
For full details on how your rates are calculated and how they support your community, view our Annual Plan and 2025/2026 Rates Brochure.
If you’re experiencing financial hardship, help is available under Council’s Financial Hardship Assistance Policy.
2025/2026 Annual Plan
