July 2, 2024
South Burnett residents face an average 3 per cent rise in Council fees and charges this financial year.
The increase is 1 per cent below Australia’s 2023-24 annual inflation rate, and some charges – such as dog registration fees – will remain at last year’s levels..
Council’s fees and charges for 2023-24 were set at its June 19 meeting and came into effect on Monday (July 1).
Fees and charges fall into two broad categories:
- Fees that are set by State Government legislation (eg. title searches), and
- Commercial charges (eg. dam tourist facilities) which are required to be run on a commercial basis.
This year the Council has reworked its schedules for halls, reducing 110 separate charges to a more workable set of 48.
The SBRC has increased fees for accommodation at the Bjelke-Petersen and Boondooma tourist parks during peak periods, a rise which targets tourists.
Rents at Council’s residential accommodation units at Appin Place, Brighthaven and Drayton Villas in Nanango have risen between $4 and $6 per week, but tenants at all three facilities will still pay about half the cost of private rental properties.
Swimming pool fees – which have remained unchanged for the past three years – will rise from $3.50 to $4.50 per visit for adults, and $2.70 to $3.00 for children under 12, with similar small rises in multi-visit and season passes.
Dog registration fees will not increase at all.
Fees at Council’s Coolabunia Saleyards will also rise slightly after consultations with sales agents to help pay for ongoing upgrades to the facility, and a range of cemetery fees will also rise to help meet the rising costs of maintenance and the planned expansion of the Taabinga Cemetery.
Following the conclusion of a free trial period, the Council will lease outdoor dining structures to businesses in Kingaroy’s CBD for $250 per year, and raise the cost of using its EV charging station in Kingaroy’s Alford Street car park from 30c to 35c per kilowatt-hour.
A Council spokesperson said many of the fees only affected a very small number of people, while others – such as dog registrations – affected many.
In addition, eligible not-for-profit organisations may be able to access relief – either in full or in part – for fees relating to venues, licences, approvals, plumbing applications, waste disposal and development assessment.
- External link: Fees and Charges 2024-25 (2881kb PDF)
