North Burnett council warns of big rate rises, fee increases

Residents and ratepayers in the North Burnett are braced for some massive increases in rates and fees as the embattled council reveals its deepening financial crisis.

North Burnett residents are facing significant increases in rates and fees, as the council struggles to keep up with rising costs, higher expenses and a dwindling population. (Mundubbera pictured) Photo Lachie Millard

North Burnett residents are facing significant increases in rates and fees, as the council struggles to keep up with rising costs, higher expenses and a dwindling population.

In a media release published on the North Burnett Regional Council website on May 27, Chief Executive Officer Craig Matheson said he would be proposing a “very significant, double-digit percentage increase in rates and utility charges” to the council later this month.

Mr Matheson said the reality was that revenue generated by the council had not kept pace with the cost of operating the organisation for the past 10-15 years.

North Burnett Regional Council CEO Craig Matheson said he would be proposing a “very significant, double-digit percentage increase in rates and utility charges” to the council later this month.

Reportedly, while revenue from rates has increased by about 5.3 per cent per annum since 2020, the cost of materials and supplies to deliver essential services has grown by more than 10 per cent each year.

Mr Matheson said other than applying for government grants, the council’s revenue sources were limited to rates, utilities, fees and charges.

“If there is no increase in grants, that only leaves rates, utility charges and user pays fees and charges as the means to fund council services,” he said.

The council has already taken measures to reduce operating costs, like downsizing its vehicle fleet, and is trying to find other cost reduction methods such as reducing the number of properties it owns.

“What this all means is that if council is to continue to maintain all of its current services to the community, with a reducing workforce and some further internal efficiencies, then a significant increase in all rates, utility charges and user pays fees and charges needs to occur if council is to have any prospect of improving its financial and service sustainability and not run out of cash,” Mr Matheson said.

Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows economic disadvantage at the Wide Bay Burnett remains among the worst in Australia.

“Arguably, this is one of the most daunting and challenging tasks that council faces, and no one – from the Mayor and councillors to council officers – is comfortable with having to consider the scale of increases that are needed.”

At the May 28 monthly meeting, the council voted unanimously to increase all fees and charges by a minimum of 10 per cent.

Fees and charges broadly refer to a range of fees payable to the council which include but is not limited to building permits, animal registration fees, hiring of council facilities, and cemetery fees.

This does not include charges like property rates, utility charges for water and sewerage, and kerbside collection services.

The increase in cost of living coupled with a reduction in population has plagued the North Burnett for at least the last decade and will continue to be a grave concern for the region.

Figures from the Queensland Government Statistician’s office indicated the population shrank by around -0.1 per cent between 2013 and 2023, and it is predicted to continue decreasing over the next 20 years.

North Burnett Mayor Les Hotz said the council had been left with limited options to maintain services while striving to improve the organisation’s financial position.

Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics also revealed the median personal weekly income in the region is more than $200 less than the Queensland median income, and that residents are heavily reliant on social service support payments.

Mayor Les Hotz said the council has been left with limited options to maintain services while striving to improve the organisation’s financial position.

“We have no choice but to increase rates, utility charges and user pays fees and other charges while continuing to identify internal efficiencies if we are to maintain Council services that our community has said they do not want to see reduced,” Mayor Hotz said.

Council will formally consider its 2025/2026 budget at a Special meeting in Gayndah on June 30, 2025.

Originally published as North Burnett council warns of big rate rises, fee increases