South Burnett ratepayers to get 2% rate rise

The South Burnett Regional Council unanimously passed its 2024-25 budget on Wednesday, with a 2% rate rise and other increases in charges that could push some household rates bills in Kingaroy by up to $140 a year according to their own figures.

The South Burnett Regional Council’s 2024-25 budget was passed unanimously on Wednesday, with a 2 per cent rates rise, and a rise in charges aimed at funding essential services and infrastructure improvements despite a $3.59 million operational deficit.

The South Burnett Regional Council’s 2024-25 budget was passed unanimously on Wednesday, with a two per cent rates rise, and a rise in charges aimed at funding essential services and infrastructure improvements despite a $3.59 million operational deficit.

The council also announced it would not borrow anything over the next 12 months.

Its current borrowings with the Queensland Treasury Corporation are expected to be $23,838,084 by June 2024, and will be reduced to $20,337,536 through loan repayments.

The 2024-25 Budget, unanimously passed by all councillors, will result general rates rising by two per cent.

Water access and consumption charges will rise by six per cent and sewerage access charges will rise by three per cent.

The South Burnett Regional Council’s 2024-25 budget was passed unanimously on Wednesday, with a 2 per cent rates rise, and a rise in charges aimed at funding essential services and infrastructure improvements despite a $3.59 million operational deficit. Photo: Andrew Hedgman.

The council has committed to sustainable waste management, with a rise in the Waste Management Levy by $28 to $213 per annum in 2024-25.

Waste collection charges will increase by six per cent to cover costs associated with collection and transportation. The council is also introducing weighbridges in Murgon, Wondai, and Nanango to assist in waste site management.

The council released a statement clarifying that due to changes in the rate in the dollar—many of which have decreased (e.g., Kingaroy residential rates decreased from $2.38520 to $2.35020), adding a two percent increase to the previous year’s rates notice would not accurately represent the new financial year’s rates and could provide an inflated perspective.

“Individual properties will experience varying levels of impact from the rate rise due to their specific property valuations,” the statement read.

According to the council’s calculations, the increase for a residential property within the residential category valuation of $52,000 would be around $140 a year (excluding water consumption charges).

Mayor Kathy Duff presented the 2024-25 Budget, the first for her new council, and highlighted the council’s focus on delivering essential infrastructure and services.

“We are very much a back-to-basics council and have put together a budget that largely revolves around resealing some of our problem sealed roads to reduce potholes,” Ms Duff said.

Mayor Kathy Duff presented the 2024-25 Budget, the first for her new council, and highlighted the council’s focus on delivering essential infrastructure and services.

To alleviate the impact of the rate hike, the council will maintain its 10 per cent discount for early payments and a $200 yearly discount for pensioners.

Additionally, the council will continue its three-year averaging for properties that experienced significant increases in the 2022 State Government land valuations.

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The budget committed $20 million to a construction and maintenance program for road improvements in 2024-25.

Key projects include $12.7 million for sealed road projects, $6 million for reseals and rehabilitation targeting over 40 roads, and $2.9 million for the reconstruction of Tingoora Chelmsford Road.

The council is also investing in water and wastewater infrastructure, with $2.6 million allocated for water replacements and upgrades and $3.2 million for repairs to the Nereda Treatment Plant in Kingaroy.

The uncertainty surrounding Financial Assistance Grants has impacted the council’s financial outcomes, with a decrease of an estimated $600,600 affecting the council’s operational deficit and service delivery.

The council has called on the State and Commonwealth Governments to review the programs methodology for fair distribution.

The South Burnett Regional Council deficit is not expected to return to surplus until 2028-29.