A push is on in one Tasmanian council to force nearby fish farms to foot council rates.

West Coast mayor Darryl Gerrity has reportedly put forward a motion in a council meeting overnight, based on a valuer-general’s directive that the fish farm leases in Macquarie Harbour could be rated by council.

The Mayor says the directive was retracted with no reason given; he is now asking councillors to support the push and consult legal advice over the matter.

Mr Gerrity believes he harbour is under the council’s jurisdiction, and the aquatic infrastructure should be rated like any farm on terra firma.

Mayor Darryl Gerrity seemingly just wants the benefits from the farm to flow partly to the local council, saying currently the council makes no money from the salmon farms, which he also says employ several workers from outside the area.