Opposition slams Brisbane City Council as new fee hits letterboxes

The opposition has slammed the Brisbane City Council as out of touch and “trying to squeeze every dollar out of ratepayers” as the first round of a new fee lands in letterboxes. VOTE IN OUR POLL

Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner was accused of throwing a “low blow” by issuing rates paper bill fees. Picture: David Clark

The opposition has slammed the Brisbane City Council as the first round of controversial rates paper bill fees roll into Brisbane residents’ letterboxes.

Implemented by the council, a fee was added to quarterly rate notices for those who opted to have their rates bill posted.

The $1.98 GST inclusive fee was introduced for commercial notices on December 1, 2024, and residential notices on January 1, 2025.

Brisbane City Council first published information about the paper fee on 12 June 2024, and a flyer was placed in residential rates bills to advise that the fee will be introduced from 1 December.

The Brisbane City Council introduced the fee to encourage residents to receive their bills by email.

But opposition leader councillor Jared Cassidy slammed the fee, stating the decision showed how “cruel and out of touch” the LNP council was.

Jared Cassidy slammed the move. Picture: Liam Kidston

“This Council has run cash reserves dry and blown the budget on their pet projects and now they’re literally trying to squeeze every dollar out of ratepayers, even the elderly, in the hope they won’t notice,” Cr Cassidy said.

“We’ve heard from countless pensioners, carers and advocacy groups who say many older residents choose not to have email addresses or the internet, so they’ll naturally be slapped with this fee.

“Others simply don’t want to change the way they’ve been paying bills and managing finances for decades – and they shouldn’t have to.

“To refuse to put an exemption in place for pensioners, as other organisations and councils do, is a low blow by Adrian Schrinner.

“The LNP cannot be trusted. Under this Council, Brisbane ratepayers are paying more and getting less.”

Many residents were unimpressed as well, with one local even creating a petition to stop the introduction of a bill fee in October last year.

Retiree Valdy Switkowski claimed paying all his bills would cost $120 in paper surcharges.

Civic Cabinet Chair for Finance Councillor Fiona Cunningham said Brisbane had the lowest minimum residential rates in southeast Queensland along with the most generous pensioner rebate of up to $1248 a year.

“Just like other local councils and utilities Brisbane has a paper bill fee to offset the unavoidable costs council incurs from increasing Australia Post charges,” Cr Cunningham said.

“It’s hypocritical for Labor to criticise our responsible financial management when rates would have gone up a further 20 per cent to pay for the $3.5 billion in unfunded Green/Labor promises.”

The first round of controversial rates paper bill fees are now landing in Brisbane residents’ letterboxes. Picture: Brendan Radke

Council on the Ageing Queensland CEO Darren Young said there were so many reasons an older person would want to continue receiving a paper bill.

“Council on the Ageing Queensland does not support a decision that means older Australians who want to receive their rates bill on paper now receive a charge,” Mr Young said.

“We know from talking to older adults that there are some older adults who have embraced online processes and digital technologies and are equipped with digital literacy.

“(But) There are many diverse groups of older adults who have anxiety or reluctance to engage with digital technology and online processes.

“Council on the Ageing Queensland would like to see increased support for older adults with managing technology and the online environment, rather than burdening them financially through additional charges.”

Almost 50 per cent of residents already received their rates bill electronically.