New data shows majority of ratepayers either got the promised 2.7 per cent rate increase or lower

Some ratepayers have been left fuming after being whacked with huge rate bills, but new council data paints a different picture. See the winners and losers here:

More than half of Gold Coast ratepayers living in residential properties received the promised general rate increase of 2.7 per cent or lower, according to City data.

Hinterland-based councillor Glenn Tozer sought a breakdown of the Gold Coast City Council budget from officers in response to a backlash from residents, including former close colleague William Owen-Jones, after some rate notices increased by up to 15 per cent.

Mr Owen-Jones, after revealing his overall bill for his Southport home had increased by 10 per cent, promised to buy a beer if anyone could demonstrate their rates had risen by no more than 2.7 per cent.

Mr Tozer on Facebook posted his rates and charges notice which shows a general rate rise of four per cent, alongside fresh data showing a majority of residents had a decrease in rates before charges.

“Some of this criticism might be considered well placed but some probably is misplaced, given the complexity of the processes councillors are expected to navigate as they make decisions,” Mr Tozer said.

His own rate bill shows a 25 per cent increase in waste and green organics charges.

When delivering the budget in June, Mayor Tom Tate said the majority of ratepayers would get a general rate increase of 2.7 per cent, which was equal to CPI.

Council data from Cr Tozer – excluding other charges like transport or waste utility – shows:

• Of the 93,748 “walk-up homes” in the city, 70,309 had a general rate rise of 2.7 per cent or less — which accounted for 75 per cent of this category.

• Of these residentials — separate from units — 21,513 properties had a rate decrease.

• 40,794 overall residential properties in the city — these include units — of a total of 255,342 — which is 16 per cent — saw a decrease in their general rate.

• This drop in general rates was due to a proportional decrease in their land value compared to the rest of the city.

• 149,126 residential properties in the city — 58 per cent of every home including houses and units — received a rate increase of 2.7 per cent or under — this includes those who got an actual decrease.

• those 149,126 properties did not include tourist rentals or commercial premises.

• 101,350 residential properties in the city — 40 per cent of all residential — experienced an increase of between 2.7 per cent and 7.5 per cent.

• generally, the increase was a product of the proportional land valuation change compared to other areas across the Coast.

• Of the 38,163 residential owner-occupied vertical strata properties on the 5th floor or under, 35,427 had a rate rise of 2.7 per cent or under — including 4767 had a decrease.

• This is 93 per cent of that category — it shows residents living in the least valuable properties in high rises have had the highest proportion of low rate rises.

Mr Tozer said his rates notice showed their family’s property increased in value by 10.2 per cent and the general rate had risen by four per cent.

One reason for the larger general rate increase was his property valuation, averaged out over three years, which was higher than the City-wide average of 7.8 per cent.

Some suburbs have had valuations drop across the past three years, with pockets of Surfers Paradise, Mermaid Beach, Gaven, Labrador, Jacobs Well and Paradise Point either peaking after booms or dropping due to a volatile market.

Mr Tozer estimated he would be paying $5.30 a week more than the previous year.

He said councillors working with officers used a “fairness and equity” principle which meant properties with similar value and living space should pay the same rates.

“It is quite complex. There is over 100 property rating categories councillors consider,” he said.

“It doesn’t always work, and there are some anomalies, but councillors do their best to debate officer recommendations based on the data analysis.”

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Originally published as New data shows majority of ratepayers either got the promised 2.7 per cent rate increase or lower