2021-22 SDRC budget revealed: What’s in it for ratepayers

Southern Downs residents will likely see general rates go up again this financial year, along with water consumption costs. See the other major changes hitting ratepayers’ hip pockets:

Ross Bartley addresses Southern Downs Regional Council SDRC chambers via livestream

Southern Downs Regional Council has released its draft 2021-22 budget, proposing increased rates and water consumption charges amid sizeable fee cuts for developers.

The report released on Wednesday stated ratepayers could expect a rise in general rates by about 1.3 per cent, with further changes to land valuations across the region.

“It is the case that individual ratepayers will see much larger variations as a result of new land values issued by the Valuer General,” the report stated.

“Rates are calculated based on these values and the changes are not uniform across the region, with particular variation in the (land) used for grazing and small crops.

“(Land valuations) ranged from a reduction of 40 per cent to an increase of over three times.”

SDRC will introduce a new rating category for small crops and agriculture and limit its rates increase to 50 per cent, due to the “bad seasons, natural disasters, and lack of workers” suffered by the industry.

Water access charges will remain the same for residents and commercial users under the proposed budget, but consumption costs will rise under a new two-tier pricing model.

Residents would be charged $2.40 per meter, per kl until they reach 150kL in six months, at which point the rate would rise to $3.00.

Households in Dalveen, Pratten, and Leyburn would be charged $1.92 and $2.40 respectively.

The report also pledged $30 million to upgrading the Southern Downs’ ageing sewerage infrastructure over the next five years.

Developers could score one of the few reductions in the draft budget, with a proposal to boost the discount on land holding costs from 40 to 70 per cent.

“(Holding costs) are incurred between the subdivision being completed and finding buyers for the new blocks,” the report stated.

“These include rates and service charges such as water and sewerage and can turn a potential profit into a loss.

“ (SDRC) has long considered (them) an impediment to development of land in the region.”

Changes to waste management and landfill fees were the other increase that could soon hit ratepayers’ back pockets, with plans to bring in the changes over several years.

The region’s three separate waste charges will be brought under the one blanket fee within two years, along with the introduction of a yearly $30 landfill access charge.

“Previously only residents with a kerbside collection were levied a specific waste charge, (but) the new charge reflects the common needs of all residents to responsibly dispose of their waste,” the report read.

The draft budget is open for public feedback until Friday, June 11.

Click here for the SDRC feedback form.