Rates hike to keep Tablelands region firing

A Far Northern mayor has forewarned of a rates rise saying now is not the time to hold back on critical services or stifle demand. WHAT THE NUMBERS REVEAL

A RATES rise has been foreshadowed by TablelandsRegional Council Mayor Rod Marti in the forthcoming annual budget.

“The community can expect that rates will rise on the basis that it’s not time to reduce or constrain council’s critical services, rather it’s time to ensure that council is abreast of and supporting unprecedented demand,” Cr Marti said in a statement.

“Circumstances impacting on community and local governments are out of the box.”

He said council would look closely at operating costs.

Rates rise has been foreshadowed by Tablelands Regional Council Mayor Rod Marti. Picture: Bronwyn Farr.

Last financial year, rates increased between 3.5 and 10 per cent and water charges increased by 4.96 per cent.

Cr Marti said cost-of-living pressures were underscored by the recent consumer price index (CPI) rise of 5.1 per cent.

But across the region, gross regional product had increased by 9.4 per cent and local jobs had grown by 5.8 per cent.

“These figures top the FNQ region,” Cr Marti said.

Residential building approvals for 2020-21 and 2021-22 were double the value of the previous two years.

Tablelands regional Council Mayor Rod Marti said this year they have released 224 new residential lots. Picture: Supplied.

“This year we have released an incredible 224 new residential lots,” Cr Marti said.

An increase in land valuation charges last financial year translated to rate rises for some properties and Cr Marti said further rate rises were in store for properties with exceptional valuation increases.

But he said inequity where residential properties accounted for 24 per cent of land values but 33 per cent of rates revenue needed to be addressed.

“It’s a challenging time for community and for council,” Cr Marti said.

Originally published as Rates hike to keep Tablelands region firing