Whitsunday Council adopts first rates increase in five years

Whitsunday residents can expect to pay more in rates – the first time in five years – as the council moves towards a financial blueprint to stabilise fluctuations.

Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Andrew Willcox. Picture: Tara Miko

Whitsunday residents can expect to pay more in rates and waste services under the council’s 2021-22 budget.

Residential rates will increase a modest 1.8 per cent – the first increase in five years and below CPI – as the effects of land valuations come into play.

It equates to a net increase of $2.65 per week based on what the council described as an average residential property in the Whitsunday region with a land valuation of $129,000.

Whitsunday Mayor Andrew Willcox in delivering the financial blueprint said the council’s $127 million operating budget would maintain “sound financial management” through a surplus of about $470,000.

“Today the councillors and I are proud to present a balanced budget that enhances the liveability for our residents without compromising our future financial sustainability,” Cr Willcox said.

“In many ways we are no different to our residents who are reviewing their budgets for their households or business.

“Reduce costs where we can so we can spend where we must – this simplifies our approach to the 2021-22 budget.”

The first land revaluations in five years underpinned the council’s approach to general rates with an overall goal of stabilising the “dramatic fluctuations” experienced in recent years, both in terms of increases and decreases.

“As the value of land is the basis on which general rates are calculated, such wide fluctuations create major movements in the rates between rating categories as well as between individual properties within categories,” Cr Willcox said.

“Council has had to make significant changes to all elements of the general rating system to ensure a fair and equitable distribution of general rates between the nearly 91,000 properties within the Whitsunday region.

“After five consecutive years of zero increase in the general residential rates across the region, in 2021-22 there will be an increase in revenue from residential rates of 1.8 per cent.”

Water access charges will increase by $25 while the sewerage utility charge will increase to $30.

The domestic garbage charge will increase $25 and the domestic recyclable charge will increase $9.