Gladstone ratepayers face 4% rate rise

The 2023/24 budget is $72.9m bigger than last year’s, with $3.5million to be spent on the Boyne Tannum Aquatic Recreation Centre, and $15.4million rebuilding ‘essential public assets’.

Gladstone region Mayor Matt Burnett.

Gladstone Regional Council’s $333.3 million budget was announced in a special meeting on June 20, with rates to rise by 4 per cent.

A council statement says rates will go up by 4 per cent for average residential ratepayers, though service charges, including water, sewerage and waste, will increase by 5.84 per cent. Utility charges will increase to $2.64 a week, or about $137 a year.

Mayor Matt Burnett said his council was unable to avoid inflation.

“Like all councils across the country, we have been challenged by the ever-increasing cost of goods and services, and while we have constrained these costs where possible, we are not immune to the pressures of inflation,” he said.

“This budget presents council with an opportunity to deliver on extensive road, bridge and drainage infrastructure across the region. These works have been made possible due to $33.7m of funding received from the Australian Government.”

Gladstone Region Mayor Matt Burnett. Picture: Contributed

The 2023/24 budget is $72.9m bigger than last year’s, with some major funding going towards projects such as $3.5million for the Boyne Tannum Aquatic Recreation Centre, and community infrastructure upkeep and improvements.

Ratepayers who pay the rates by October 18, 2023, will be eligible for a 10 per cent discount, and pensioners will receive a $310 rebate.

2023-24 Gladstone council budget snapshot:

$103.5 million for roads, bridges, footpaths and drainage

$53.8 million for water services

$38.6 million for sewerage services

$26.5 million for waste services

$24.6 million for parks and environment

$9.7 million for arts, culture and entertainment

$3,528,412 Boyne Tannum Aquatic Recreation Centre

$15,431,783 Reconstruction of Essential Public Assets

Rates changes in comparison with previous years:

23-24: +4%

22-23: +4.5%

21-22: +1.7%

20-21 -1%

19-20: +2.39%

Rate rises in neighbouring councils this year:

Isaac Regional Council: 4%

Central Highlands Regional Council: 3%

Mackay Regional Council: 3.8%

Bundaberg Regional Council: 0%