Gympie rates to rise 4.77% in council budget

Gympie ratepayers have been slugged with a rate rise as the council delivers a budget that will leave some property owners paying thousands of dollars more each year. Watch the video, find out how this will affect your hip pocket:

More than three quarters of Gympie region landowners will be paying up to $200 more on their rates bills in 2022-23 as part of a $115.7 million budget brought down on Thursday, July 14, which abolished the five per cent early payment discount.

Residential ratepayers will be slugged an average 4.77 per cent more on their bills, Gympie Regional Council has revealed.

Very few will pay less, some will pay much more.

This was due to the “removal … of the discount, category differences between properties, revaluation of land from the State (Government) and increases to service charges”.

The council said inflation costs, including for insurance and materials, flood damage and budget repair “heavily impacted” operations and the gross increase in total rates and levies charges was 2.31 per cent, with this revenue expected to bring in $85.1 million this financial year.

Gympie ratepayers will be slugged an average 4.77 per cent more on their rates bills as part of the 2022-23 council budget, which includes the abolishment of the 5 per cent early payment discount.

More than 21,000 ratepayers will pay an increase of up to $200, with the bulk (13,843) to pay at least $100 more.

Another 3800 homes will pay between $200-$1000 more this year, while 830 homeowners can expect a decrease on their rates bill.

Four properties have been slugged an increase of between $5000-$20,000.

The pensioner rebate has been increased by $20 to $180.

Mayor Glen Hartwig said in his budget message the council did not consider the increase lightly.

“During difficult times increasing fees and charges is never a popular or easy decision,” Mr Hartwig said.

Gympie Mayor Glen Hartwig said the council had increased rates as it grappled with rises in electricity and fuel prices, along with repair work following three floods in five months. Picture: Patrick Woods.

“However, it is necessary so we can continue to fund the repairs to our road network and maintain our vital infrastructure which is needed to support the community and Gympie Regional Council.”

The mayor also said the increased cost of fuel, raw materials and electricity “combined with three floods in five months, rising land valuations and the need to repair our financial position” meant the council had to increase rates and the cost of services.

The budget is expected to deliver a $50,000 surplus for the year.

The council expects to raise more than $84m by way of its rates, levies and charges, which will account for more than three quarters of the $108.9m in forecast income.

This was against an expected $108.8m spend in the region, which will include $39.1m in employee costs, $42.6 spent on materials and services, and $25.9m in depreciation.