South Burnett Rates Rise 1.75pc

July 8, 2022

South Burnett Regional Council approved a small 1.75 per cent rise in general rates at their Budget meeting on Friday, as well as the introduction of a fortnightly kerbside recycling service.

The rate rise, which is less than the current inflation rate of 5.1 per cent, is also smaller than increases adopted recently by adjoining councils.

Toowoomba’s rise was 2.5 per cent, Somerset 4 per cent and Western Downs 3.9 per cent; North Burnett ratepayers face increases of up to 8.7 per cent while Gympie Council has not yet held its Budget meeting.

The SBRC Budget was adopted in a split vote, 4-3, with Mayor Brett Otto, Cr Kathy Duff and Cr Jane Erkens opposed.

South Burnett ratepayers also face rises in other Council fees and charges.

Ratepayers will pay 6 per cent more in water charges and face a 3 per cent rise in sewerage charges.

Domestic waste collection charges will rise by 1 per cent.

The introduction of kerbside recycling will add another $70 to refuse charges this year (or $35 for concession card holders).

However, this cost won’t kick in until kerbside recycling starts in January, and it will only add $35 ($17.50 for pensioners) to this financial year’s total rates bill.

Schools, hospitals, commercial flats, caravan parks, hotels and motels also face higher second pedestal charges, with extra pedestals charged at $602 per year for hospitals and schools, and $411 a year for all others.

Fees and charges for other Council services rose by 3.5 per cent on July 1.

Council’s existing 10 per cent discount for early repayment and its annual $200 rebate for pensioners will remain, as will lower water and sewerage charges for those residents connected to the Proston Water Supply Scheme.

Residents who have seen a sharp increase in the latest round of land valuations will also be given a reprieve, with the Council applying three-year averaging to their general rates bills.

* * *

Over the next 12 months, Council proposes to spend $32.6 million on capital works.

This money will be spent in the following areas:

• $17,188,489 on roads
• $3,907,500 on fleet vehicles
• $3,632,866 on water
• $2,323,444 on NRM management and parks
• $2,105,000 on buildings and properties
• $1,644,435 on waste services
• $1,453,700 on wastewater services

Major projects include:

• Corndale Road widening ($1.59 million)
• George Street car park in Kingaroy ($825,000)
• Kumbia CBD renewal ($300,000)
• Kingaroy median strip and Wondai roundabout upgrade ($800,000)
• Nanango water treatment plant and supply ($490,000)
• Maidenwell Transfer Station ($350,000)
• Nanango weighbridge ($607,000)
• Memorial Park, Kingaroy concept planning ($580,000)
• Wondai swimming pool refurbishment ($560,000)
• Murgon PCYC bathroom renovations ($380,000)
• Gordonbrook Dam spillway works ($800,000)
• Kingaroy Airport lighting ($386,000)
• Kingaroy CBD revitalisation ($2,900,000)

Council has budgeted to spend $25.5 million on employee salaries and benefits, and a further $25.3 million on contracts, materials and services.

* * *

During the meeting, Cr Kirstie Schumacher praised both Council staff and her colleagues for the work they put into preparing the Budget, noting it had required 20 workshops and committee meetings to prepare, along with many “robust discussions”.

“Setting this Budget has been the most challenging task of my working career and I would say that many of my colleagues and team members feel the same way,” she said.

“This is because we have a profound sense of responsibility to manage our ratepayers’ hard-earned dollars wisely. Councils are about core services – not profits – and our goal has been to ensure every dollar represents value.

She said the result strived to be as fair as possible, and to bear in mind the region had recently undergone trying times with more forecast in the year ahead.

“This is the people’s Budget. And just like the people of our region are cutting their expenses and household budgets to meet the pressures of rising costs of living, so too are we,” Cr Schumacher said.

She also emphasised the effect of cuts in Federal Government assistance.

“We have taken a direct hit with the loss of $500,000 in Federal Assistance Grants this year, and in preparing this Budget we accept that this shortfall is beyond the means of our ratepayers,” she said.

“Clearly, CPI, loss of funding and rising costs of materials are factors beyond our control.

“How we respond to them is what matters.”

• Additional information: Behind The SBRC Budget

Related articles:

• Council Fees, Charges To Rise 3.5pc
• Property Values Rise 19.3pc

  Council