Darwin residents have been hit with a three per cent rate rise.

The City of Darwin released its budget this week, saying it will increase spending to a record $53 million, doubling the average $23 million over the past five years.

Darwin Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis says the rate rise is pretty minor.

“It’s a dollar a week. Well below what Katherine is doing with a 7.5 per cent increase,” he said.

The council found a series of internal savings but instead of sparing the public a rate rise, the money is going towards more projects, including;

  • $11.43 million for Sustainable Infrastructure Projects
  • $7.78 million for Roads, Footpaths & Lighting
  • $22.45 million to upgrade the Shoal Bay Waste Management Facility
  • $6.2 million on City Greening & Tree Planting

The council says it will upgrade 900 LED lights throughout the CBD and rearrange Larrakia Nation patrol times to help curb crime.

“We’re rearranging the timing of our rangers from 6am to 5pm, now they’re going to be 6pm to 9pm,” he said.

The Lord Mayor said there will be some savings.

“You’re not going to pay more if you want to park in the street, you do not have to pay if you want to go to the swimming pools and you do not have to pay if you want your rubbish to go in the rubbish tip,” he said.

The budget should leave $107.43 million in expected revenue for the council.