Minimum rate rise of 3.5% for the Fraser Coast ratepayers

The Fraser Coast council on Wednesday voted to increase the minimum rate by 3.5 per cent, though its budget shows an expected increase in total revenue from general rates of 12.49 per cent.

Deputy Mayor Sara Diana Faraj with Mayor George Seymour at the budget announcement this morning.

Fraser Coast residents will be paying up to $9 a week more on their rates after being slugged with an unidentified hike in council’s 2025-26 budget.

Under the budget adopted on Wednesday, homeowners can expect to pay about $6-$9 a week more on their bills, which would amount to $312 to $468 more across the year.

The council said the minimum rate rise would be 3.5 per cent, although its budget shows an expected increase in total revenue from general rates of 12.49 per cent.

The increase is on par with with the increase in revenue in last year’s budget, the result of a 10.5 per cent average rate rise for the region.

The council declined to reveal what the overall average rate rise would be this year, instead pointing to its efforts to mitigate the costs on households while stressing in its accompanying media releases the increased financial pressure it was under.

Deputy Fraser Coast Mayor Sara Diana Faraj with Mayor George Seymour at the budget announcement on Wednesday.

While the budget was unanimously passed, many councillors expressed their disappointment at the lack of funding local governments were getting from the state and federal level.

Building costs were one of the main reasons for the increase in rates, with Mayor George Seymour addressing the council on the increasing cost of materials.

“Over the past five years, the cost of gravel has gone up by 62 per cent, earthworks by 100 per cent, and footpath replacements by 58 per cent,” he said.

He said the council was working hard to provide the services and infrastructure the community needed, while managing higher costs and keeping the budget on track.

The budget focuses on roads, parks, footpaths, water, and sewerage, according to Mayor George Seymour. Photo: Fraser Coast Regional Council

Council will also increase its developer infrastructure charges to the maximum allowed under Queensland legislation: $34,500 per lot, up from $32,000 in Hervey Bay and $19,000 in Maryborough.

The budget forecast included predictions of $4.5 million in rates revenue coming from new properties in the 2025-26 financial year.

Highlights for the $527 million budget included $180 million for water, waste and sewerage, $128 million for roads and bridges, $89 million for economic development and tourism, $40 for public spaces such as parks and playgrounds, and $15 million for arts and cultural facilities.

Fraser Coast councillor Paul Truscott voted in favour of the budget, but said he understood the rises would hurt residents.

Councillor Paul Truscott said his “heart said no, but my head says yes”.

“I feel for our community,” he said.

“I know what it means for everyday people when costs go up — when rates rise.

“It’s tough out there. People are stretched, and I don’t take lightly what any new budget means for them.”

In a media conference, Mr Seymour said it was “a budget about the basics”.

“This is about roads, parks, footpaths, water, and sewerage from Walkers Point Rd to Bauple Drive,” he said.

“We are seeing tremendous growth on the Fraser Coast, and with that comes challenges.

Originally published as Minimum rate rise of 3.5% for the Fraser Coast ratepayers