Dog owners, community groups to pay more for Council services in 2023-24

Bundaberg council is being slammed for “exorbitant” fees and charges increases in its “cost of living” budget, with the price of one service increasing 67 per cent.

Bundaberg ratepayers will pay 67% more to release their dog from the pound in 2023-24 despite Mayor Jack Dempsey describing this year’s budget as the “cost of living” budget.

Bundaberg Regional Council is being slammed for “poor planning” after upping fees and charges this year, with the cost of one service rising 67 per cent.

The 2022-23 Bundaberg Regional Council budget forecast an annual fees and charges increase of 2.5 per cent over the next 10 years.

In June, the council endorsed its “cost of living” budget including a rates freeze which Mayor Jack Dempsey said was made possible through “sustained sound financial management”.

But fees and charges for many services listed in this year’s budget have increased at rates far higher than the 2.5 per cent forecast.

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Any group wishing to hire the Bargara Cultural & Community Centre now pay $940, an increase of $43 or seven per cent.

Hiring the grand piano at Moncrieff Entertainment Centre will come at a cost of $400, up 21 per cent.

Dog owners have been targeted with many of the steepest increases, with release fees for impounded dogs increasing by $77.

Dog owners have been targeted with one of the steepest increases with release fees for impounded dogs up 67 per cent – a rise of $77.

Bundaberg Ratepayers Association president Helen Blackburn said the larger than expected increases to fees and charges was evidence of “poor planning and a lack of transparency” by council.

“If my dog was scared from the fireworks or a storm last financial year and I had to go get it from the pound, it cost me $126,” Ms Blackburn said.

“If that same dog gets out on the first of July, it now costs $200.

“Mayor Jack Dempsey said his council has been able to deliver this ‘cost of living’ budget through ’sustained sound financial management’.

“But a variance of more than 4.5 per cent on the forecasted fees increases isn’t a product of ‘sound financial management’, it is a product of poor planning and a lack of transparency characteristic of this council.”

Bundaberg Ratepayers Association president Helen Blackburn said the larger than expected increases to fees and charges is evidence of “poor planning and a lack of transparency” by council.

Ms Blackburn said the cost of living relief from the rates freeze was diminished by the increased fees and charges.

“Having delivered the rates freeze asked for by Bundaberg Ratepayers Association with one hand, council is taking with the other through these exorbitant increases,” Ms Blackburn said.

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“Instead of jacking up fees, we call on council to cut back on costly and wasteful projects such as the $75m Bundaberg Aquatic Centre to deliver a balanced and sustainable budget that will deliver real benefits and cost of living relief to ratepayers.”

Bundaberg Regional Council has been contacted for comment.