Residents and community groups across Canberra are bracing for major rate rises next year, which they argue won't translate into better services or much-needed infrastructure spending.
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Rates for home owners will rise by an average of 7 per cent next financial year, while apartment owners will pay an extra 11 per cent, the ACT's 2019-20 budget showed.
Chief Minister Andrew Barr on Tuesday said the "heaviest lifting" of the territory's tax reform was over, but Canberrans still face at least two more years of rate rises.
The sharpest pinch will be felt in Canberra's inner south, where home owners in six of the district's eight suburbs are set to pay at least an extra $450 in rates next financial year.
Home owners in Forrest will be hit with the territory's biggest bills, with the average rate to rise to $10,171, up $566 on 2018-19.
Kingston homeowners will pay an extra 11 per cent next year, or an average of $394 more, while rates will jump 10 per cent in Barton, Griffith and Yarralumla. That equates to rate increases of $646, $545 and $561 in the respective suburbs.
Barton apartment owners will see their rates bill rise by 18 per cent next financial year, while rates for Kingston units will rise by 15 per cent.
Kingston and Barton Residents' Association president Rebecca Scouller said the inner-south community was happy to contribute its "fair" share of rates, but was growing concerned the area was being shortchanged by the ACT government.
Tuesday's budget allocated $800,000 to upgrade Manuka Pool, and $600,000 to scope out future development opportunities on the Kingston foreshore.
Ms Scouller said the "community wasn't asking for much", citing a recent request for a new drinking fountain at Telopea Park, which was knocked back.
Barton apartment owner Ken Begg said retirees living on a fixed income would struggle to "rearrange their affairs" in order to cope with the massive rate increase.
"By increasing rates by as much as 18 percent on some apartment owners in the ACT, Andrew Barr has found a new way to tax retirees," Mr Begg said.
The government is planning to introduce separate rating factors for units and houses, after changes made to how charges were calculated in 2017 led to some owners experiencing significant increases.
A spokeswoman for Mr Barr said rates for units and houses would grow at different levels in 2020-21 as it continued to transition to the new regime. Beyond that, rate rises between the two were expected to be more aligned, she said.
Woden Valley Community Council president Fiona Carrick said the region made a "significant contribution" to the ACT in terms of rates revenue, but was missing out on its share of community infrastructure spending.
Tuesday's budget included $500,000 to upgrade Woden's library and $1.75 million to design a new local community centre.
Ms Carrick welcomed funding for a new community centre, but said the growing district desperately needed construction work to start on new projects.
- READ MORE: ACT 'close to the limit' on rates hikes
Tuggeranong Community Council president Glenys Patulny said aside for funding for planned upgrades to Athllon Drive and Monaro Highway, the budget included very little for Canberra's south.
Ms Patulny said the community council would be more proactive in lobbying for funding ahead of next year's budget to avoid being overlooked again.
Dan Jervis-Bardy
Dan covers federal politics from Parliament House, with a special focus on climate policy and the NDIS. He has previously reported on ACT politics and urban affairs since joining the Canberra Times in 2018.
Dan covers federal politics from Parliament House, with a special focus on climate policy and the NDIS. He has previously reported on ACT politics and urban affairs since joining the Canberra Times in 2018.
