Qld bed tax push by Brisbane, Gold Coast, Cairns, Whitsunday councils

The mayors of four Queensland councils are urging the state government to introduce a bed tax to help them pay for surging infrastructure costs. VOTE IN OUR POLL

Mayor Tom Tate is considering to introduce ‘bed tax’ for Gold Coast tourists.

• Editor’s view: Securing our future

The mayors of four Queensland councils have written to Premier David Crisafulli urging him to introduce a bed tax to help them pay for surging infrastructure costs caused by the state’s booming tourist sector.

A “modest’’, opt-in visitor levy was a fairer way to distribute the costs of the tourism industry, Adrian Schrinner (Brisbane), Tom Tate (Gold Coast), Amy Eden (Cairns) and Ry Collins (Whitsundays) argued in the letter.

But a response by Whitsundays MP Amanda Camm on Friday suggests the move is unlikely.

The mayors stressed it would not be a blanket charge but rather a flexible, community-driven revenue tool such as those used successfully in more than 100 other countries with large visitor numbers.

“A visitor levy is simple, transparent and targeted,’’ they said.

“Tourism is part of Queensland’s DNA. It fuels our local economies, sustains thousands of jobs and drives investment right across the state.

“However, as visitation grows so too does the cost of maintaining the infrastructure, the natural assets, services and experiences that make our destinations world-class.”

Read our editorial and join in the discussion in the comments below.

The mayors said those costs were increasingly borne by local governments and in turn our ratepayers, many of whom were already experiencing cost-of-living pressures. 

They acknowledged there would be criticism, with the Queensland Hotels Association on record as being opposed to bed taxes.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner has also written to the government. Picture: Josh Woning

But the mayors offered to implement a levy and do all the public consultation – and also cop any flak, although the state government needs to amend legislation in order for them to go ahead with the move.

“With Queensland set to host the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, now is the time to ensure we are globally competitive and ready to capitalise on the worldwide attention this event will bring,’’ they said.

“Increased investment in tourism infrastructure and promotion via the levy will be critical to ensuring Queensland is competitive and captures long-term benefits from hosting the Games.’’

Mr Tate on Thursday conceded a bed tax could cost up to 5 per cent of the room rate.

“You go to Vegas, Singapore, Dubai and you get additional room tax,’’ he said.

Tourism Minister Andrew Powell said he and Mr Crisafulli had repeatedly ruled out a statewide tourism tax.

However he said requests from councils for local bed taxes were being considered.

“As part of our community consultation, a number of councils have sought the ability to apply their own levy,” Mr Powell said.

Queensland Hotels Association CEO Bernie Hogan is against the tax.

“These requests are being considered through the finalisation of the Crisafulli government’s 20 Year Tourism Plan.”

Ms Camm on Friday said the government would not legislate a statewide bed tax.

“Local governments already have the ability through the Local Government Act to introduce a levy if they so wish to, and that will be a matter for local government,” Ms Camm said.

Tourism Minister Andrew Powell said early this week a proposed bed tax would be unnecessary to fund Olympic infrastructure as had previously been proposed.

“We’ve made it pretty clear, no statewide taxes or levies and we stand by that,” Mr Powell said.

Mr Powell stopped short of rejecting the four councils’ proposal, saying “that’s what’s currently being considered.”

Queensland Hotels Association CEO Bernie Hogan said he did not support the move to introduce a “self-defeating tariff”.

“Three to 5 per cent can be the difference between a tour group staying at one place to another,” he said.

Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli said a bed tax was “not something I’m entertaining right at this moment”.

Originally published as Qld bed tax push by Brisbane, Gold Coast, Cairns, Whitsunday councils