Sunshine Coast Council reveals 2022-23 budget

The “winners and losers” of the Sunshine Coast Council’s 2022 budget can be revealed as rates and levy increases are locked in.

Some Sunshine Coast property owners whose land valuations boomed this year could cop rates increases of almost 40 per cent.

Sunshine Coast Council endorsed its $847m Budget which revealed a minimum general rates rise of five per cent, to $1332.50, amid rising cost of living pressures.

The early payment discount which was scrapped in 2021 so the council could re-establish the $5m Disaster Rehabilitation Reserve, was not returned, however pension discounts were increased by 3.5 per cent.

The majority – 59 per cent – of residents will receive the minimum rates but Mayor Mark Jamieson said some who had land valuations soar in March would have increases of up to 38 per cent.

Councillor Ted Hungerford said the council increased the minimum rates threshold to land values of $370,000, in response to the latest valuations.

Across the Sunshine Coast land values increased 28.4 per cent, but some suburbs went up 80 per cent.

Division 4 councillor Joe Natoli said his division was particularly affected, as well as divisions three and nine.

Mayor Mark Jamieson said the Sunshine Coast Council’s theme for the 2022-23 Budget was stronger, better and sustainable.

Those divisions include Mooloolaba, Alexandra Headland, Buddina, Minyama, Wurtulla, Birtinya, Doonan, Valdora, Birtinya and Bokarina, where some suburbs received average increases of more than 70 per cent.

“There are winners and losers,” Mr Natoli said.

“There will be some people facing a higher burden.

“I want them to know there is financial assistance, there’s an opportunity to pay rates off periodically.”

The budget delivered a $31m positive operational result and a capital works program of $273m.

In what was his 11th budget, Mayor Mark Jamieson said the region was facing increasingly difficult and challenging circumstances.

Mr Jamieson said the maximum rates increase of 38 per cent would affect properties where values increased dramatically.

“While we accept it’s challenging for them, they’ll draw some comfort from the significant valuation increases they’ve enjoyed,” he said.

He said the council did not consider reinstating the early payment scheme which was removed last year.

The scheme was designed as an incentive for residents to pay rates and Mr Jamieson said that had not been affected without the discount.

The council’s debt was forecast to reduce to $488m, after it received Palisade Investment Partner’s payment of $305m for the Sunshine Coast Airport expansion project.

Mr Jamieson said he was “absolutely certain” it would be received before the end of June.

He said sustainability was a key focus.

Breakdown

The minimum total rates and charges – including waste services and environment, transport and arts and heritage levies increased $83.40 to $1806.20.

A 5% differential general rate increase for the Minimum General Rate

A 5% increase in the 240 litre waste bin charge

A 43% decrease of $27.10 in the 240 litre garden organics waste bin charge

A $3 increase to the Arts and Heritage Levy

A $1 increase to the Transport Levy

A 3.5% increase in pensioner rate concessions, benefiting 21,000 property owners, budgeted at $4 million

A 4.84% total rates and charges increase for properties charged the Minimum General Rate