Darwin Council ratepayers are set to be gifted a freeze on their rates for next year, according to Lord Mayor Kon Vastkalis.

The news will come as a relief to residents already struggling financially from a downturn in the Territory’s economy due to the coronavirus crises.

Speaking to Mix 104.9 on Tuesday morning, Mr Vastkalis said he was confident there would be no rate increase for ratepayers next year.

“Next year, with the budget as it stands at the moment, you will see a zero per cent increase on your rates,” he said.

“We think we can survive with the current level of rates we charge, people probably don’t have the ability to pay excess money next year.

“We’ll find savings inside, we can work with the existing money we’ve got.”

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Mr Vastkalis said council had more than $50 million in capital works planned for next year and had a number of projects in mind.   

“One thing we want to do is the Casuarina Swimming Pool, nothing has been done there for a long time, we want to upgrade that one,” he said.

“Our council building has been built 50 years ago and does not comply with many of the current regulations.  

“We had people working on the roof the other day and some of them came through the roof.

“The air conditioner is held together with sticky tape, so we have to spend some money there to do something.

Other ideas include moving the library to Smith Street Mall, installing LED bulbs to all lights in the council region and constructing a toddler’s pool at the Parap Swimming Pool.  

All projects will need to be put to council for approval before they can come to fruition.  

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