{"id":321051,"date":"2022-07-08T17:24:14","date_gmt":"2022-07-08T07:24:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=321051"},"modified":"2023-04-19T19:08:16","modified_gmt":"2023-04-19T09:08:16","slug":"south-burnett-rates-rise-1-75pc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2022\/07\/08\/south-burnett-rates-rise-1-75pc\/","title":{"rendered":"South Burnett Rates Rise 1.75pc"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Mayor Brett Otto, councillors and senior staff with the 2022-23 Budget approved by a majority of Councillors on Friday<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

July 8, 2022<\/strong><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

The SBRC Budget was adopted in a split vote, 4-3, with Mayor Brett Otto, Cr Kathy Duff and Cr Jane Erkens opposed. <\/strong><\/p>\n

South Burnett ratepayers also face rises in other Council fees and charges.<\/p>\n

Ratepayers will pay 6 per cent more in water charges and face a 3 per cent rise in sewerage charges.<\/p>\n

Domestic waste collection charges will rise by 1 per cent.<\/p>\n

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

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Fees and charges for other Council services rose by 3.5 per cent on July 1.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

* * *<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Over the next 12 months, Council proposes to spend $32.6 million on capital works.<\/strong><\/p>\n

This money will be spent in the following areas:<\/p>\n