Mass turnout revealed at North Burnett council rates protests

Hundreds of regional Qld residents have protested an ‘astronomical’ rate rise handed down by the their council with calls for councillors to rethink the move, or simply quit, made amid the growing backlash.

Hundreds of people have united over recent days, with North Burnett community meetings organised throughout the region to push back against the ‘astronomical’ rate rises passed by council last week.

Hundreds of North Burnett residents have gathered to protest an “astronomical” rate rise handed down by the region’s council with calls for councillors to resign amid growing community backlash.

More than 240 people attended a community organised meeting in Gayndah on Wednesday to voice their outrage at the 25 per cent general rates rise delivered in the council’s 2025 budget in what was called an “emotional” meeting.

“It was an emotional feeling to see people stand and cry because they are at risk of losing their homes,” Organiser Paul Wain said Thursday.

“ … it has a massive roll-on effect to residents, the ratepayers, pensioners, shop owners.

“You don’t buy anything from the shop because you’ve just paid your rates with the spare money you had.

“Those shops have had rates increase, they go broke, they close. The town, the shire breaks down.”

Organiser Paul Wain said it was “emotional” hearing people speak about their financial difficulties and uncertain futures. Photo: Office of Colin Boyce MP

Multiple residents shared personal stories and expressed frustration about paying high rates for what they said was minimal services, while facing their own financial hardships.

One woman who lives near Mt Perry said she got almost nothing for her rates.

“I’m paying rent on my own land, is what it amounts to,” she said.

“I get no rubbish service, I get no running water, I get no sewerage, nothing.

“What am I paying for and why is it going to go up? Am I going to get more of nothing?”

An older woman from Mundubbera said she was struggling to renovate a shed to live in on her property to avoid becoming homeless, and was already barely getting by.

“I’m busting myself. I spend $50 a week on groceries, I put away $20 for fuel, I don’t go anywhere, so imagine what this is going to do to me. I’m shaking because it’s ridiculous,” she said.

Mr Wain read out a letter he received from a woman who said she was a disabled pensioner with disabled children, who owned her own home outright but was still having a hard time managing the rates.

He said the family were struggling with the lack of services but simply could not afford to move.

More than 240 people attended a community organised meeting in Gayndah on Wednesday, July 16, with around 75 more officially sending their apologies. Photo: Office of Colin Boyce MP

Flynn MP Colin Boyce said in a statement there was an “enormous amount of angst” felt by low income community members over the rates hike.

Their finances were already stretched thin, he said.

The meeting ended with resolutions asking for the council to reconsider the 25 per cent rate rise, and it to seek a meeting with the state Local Government Minister to lobby for changes to the Local Government Act.

Mr Boyce and said he was “extremely disappointed” no one from the council was present at the meeting.

Correspondence from Mayor Les Hotz shared on social media claimed there was a misunderstanding and councillors did not believe they were invited.

The CEO, councillors and the mayor have reportedly attended other community discussions this week including a meeting in Biggenden with about 160 people, and the monthly meeting of the Mundubbera Enterprise Association.

The council and Mayor Hotz has been contacted for comment.

The backlash continued on social media, where dozens shared their stories of hardship and asked how they will afford the increased costs, while some said they have already decided to leave the region.

Federal member for Flynn Colin Boyce said it was clear there was an “enormous amount of angst” felt by low income community members, whose finances were already stretched thin. Photo: Office of Colin Boyce MP

A number of people posted open letters to the council voicing strong opposition to the rate increases and demanding the council reconsider.

Jessica Buxton begged the council to listen to the community, who she said were “blindsided by a hasty budget decision”.

“When year on year rate rises have been in the vicinity of 4-8 per cent, 25 per cent is not substantial or major – it’s astronomical,” she wrote on Facebook.

John Krechting from Mt Perry published an open letter in which he expressed deep concern about the distress caused by massive rate increases and questioned the direction the council was headed.

He said the council’s financial struggles were evident, pointing to the discrepancy between the increase in costs and the slow grow in revenue, but said there were still limits.

“Asking us to pay for years of a catch-up in one single hit is like ignoring a leaky roof for a decade and then telling the current tenant they have to buy a whole new roof — upfront and all at once,” Mr Krechting said in his post.

“It’s a heavy burden that feels deeply unfair and will cripple business, cause homelessness, and turn our community into ghost towns.”