Gympie council reveals 5.5% rate rise in 2023 budget

Ratepayers across the region will need to dig deeper into their pockets in the coming months with rates on the rise again, with the council finally revealing by how much.

The majority of the $111m capital works program spending will be on flood recovery. Pictured is Mary St on February 26, 2022.

Gympie ratepayers will need to dig deeper into their wallets with general rates across the region rising 5.5 per cent as part of this year’s budget which promises to deliver more than $100m in capital works.

The rate rise was announced at Tuesday’s special budget meeting, in with the rate rise was one of several price increases unveiled by the council which will impact the ratepayers.

It comes as the country grapples with high inflation rates and growing cost of living concerns.

The rate rise was the highest in comparison to those handed down by the region’s neighbouring councils.

Fraser Coast ratepayers were hit with a 4.9 per cent general rate rise, while in the South Burnett residents received a 3.65 per cent increase.

In the North Burnett rates rose at least 5.1 per cent.

Bundaberg council rolled out a 0 per cent rate rise trumpeted as a “cost of living” budget, but criticised by one councillor as a “vote buying budget” ahead of the 2024 elections.

Chief financial officer David Lewis (centre) said this year’s budget was the biggest the council had ever delivered and included more than $111m in capital works.

Chief financial officer David Lewis said the council was well placed to absorb any unforeseen problems as it had minimal debt on its books.

Councillors heard this meant future councils were in a position to consider major “intergenerational” projects needed in the region.

Water, sewerage and waste prices increased between 5 and 8 per cent too.

“The vast majority (about three quarters of the region) will pay less than $100 (extra) a year, that equates to less than $1.95 per week,” Mr Lewis said.

Mr Lewis said it was the council’s biggest budget yet with the majority of the $111m capital works program to go towards flood recovery.

Mayor Glen Hartwig said the 5.5 per cent rate rise may not be a popular decision but it was the “responsible” one. Picture: Christine Schindler

Councillor Bob Fredman said “we will cop criticism” over the rise.

“We do need to keep our income up to speed with our costs,” Mr Fredman said.

He said a rise of seven per cent had been thrown around at one point and so the figure finally adopted was a “responsible position”.

Mayor Glen Hartwig said “being responsible was not always popular”.

“No one likes paying rates … but they’re necessary for a democratic society,” Mr Hartwig said.

The council is planning on borrowing more than $7m across the next two years, including a $5.3m loan in the 2023-24 financial year.

The money is being borrowed to help pay for the expansion to the Bonnick Rd dump and the rollout of the Southside sewerage scheme.

More to come.