Get ready for a council rate rise as budget pressures mount
DE-AMALGAMATION, rising costs and pressures on revenue will force the Sunshine Coast Council to increase rates in the upcoming budget.
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DE-AMALGAMATION, rising costs and pressures on revenue will force the Sunshine Coast Council to increase rates in the upcoming budget.
The council will bring down its 2013-14 budget on June 25.
Mayor Mark Jamieson said the rate rise would be "reasonable and responsible".
"This is a difficult budget for council in the wake of the decision to de-amalgamate, rising costs and pressures on revenue," Cr Jamieson said.
"We know some people in our community are finding it difficult to make ends meet, which is why we are doing everything we can to try and keep the rate rise as low as possible."
General rates increased 3.6% in last year's budget.
"We have just announced our organisation review to make sure we're tightening our belt, but we also have to make sure we continue to play a role in growing the region's job market and building business confidence," Cr Jamieson said.
The council could not elaborate on discussions other than to say a rate rise was inevitable.
The council brought down a $604 million budget last year, and found $30 million in savings.
Cr Jamieson said at the time that independent consultants would be brought in to slash jobs and streamline the council.
But with the cost of de-amalgamation looming , the community is playing a waiting game to see what the rate-rise bottom line will be.
Originally published as Get ready for a council rate rise as budget pressures mount
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