Western Downs rates set to rise to an all-time high

Your rates are set to increase following a predicted $1m revenue shortfall. Here’s how your rates will change:

RATES: Western Downs resident’s rates are set to increase following a predicted $1m declined in the recurse industry. Pic: Supplied

Residents will pay an extra 4.5 per cent in general rates, as the Western Downs Regional Council begins to focus on the sustainability of the region without relying on the resource industry.

The WDRC announced the all-time high increase in rates at the 2021/2022 budget meeting on Wednesday, June 23, at the council’s corporate office in Dalby - up from a 2.5 per cent increase in 2020.

Mayor Paul McVeigh said the council was focused on promoting an attractive place to live and work while adapting to the relevant industries that help run the region’s economy Pic: Dan Peled

Mayor Paul McVeigh said the council was focused on promoting an attractive place to live and work while adapting to the relevant industries that help run the region’s economy.

“We have a diverse economy here in the Western Downs and council’s 21/22 budget is about supporting this economy and setting the foundations for a prosperous future for the region,” Mayor McVeigh said.

“We are a council at the forefront of the changing world, and this future-focused attitude has allowed us to go above and beyond for the community, delivering a huge stimulus package, generating jobs, and keeping our rates substantially lower than other regions of the same size.

“Our responsible financial management has allowed us to remain debt-free and keep rates low, that’s despite forecasting a reduction of around $1 million dollars in rates revenue this year due to a decline in the resource industry.”

Finance, corporate services and business strategy councillor Ian Rasmussen said the council changed its rating structure to deliver a clearer and more transparent model, reducing their total rating categories by 99.

“This was about consolidating rates categories to create a more accurate representation of our community and ultimately make the rating system clearer and fairer,” he said.

“We have also included new categories such as battery storage and poultry to capture future economic opportunities for the region.

RATES: Spokesperson for Finance, Corporate Services and Business Strategy Councillor Ian Rasmussen said Council continued to focus on proactive, sustainable planning for the future. Pic: Supplied

“We are also continuing to match the State’s Pensioner Rate Subsidy Scheme, offering qualifying pensioners a 20% rebate on rates and charges, excluding water consumption charges, up to a maximum of $200 per year.”

“(Also) the waive on infrastructure charges for targeted development approvals continues this year, which is about accelerating development, creating more jobs, and ultimately increasing our population.”

Councillor Ian Rasmussen said the council was able to ensure the Western Downs remained affordable despite huge rises in land valuations dictated by the State Government.

“Despite rural land valuations going up anywhere between 25 per cent and 40 per cent in our region, council has been able to keep the average general rates increase at 4.5 per cent, which is a result of our ongoing responsible financial management,” he said.

“Our towns continue to benefit from some of the lowest rates in the state compared with other towns of the same size, and we’re proud to be able to keep rates low, while having the capacity to grow our region and deliver fantastic projects for the community.”

Mr Rasmussen said the council is proud of their ability to go to great lengths for the community while shaping a stronger future economy.

“Our stringent financial planning has allowed us to remain debt-free and implement once-in-a-generation initiatives like our massive COVID-19 Recovery Package which supported the region through the height of the pandemic and continues to deliver real results for our community.