Aussies slugged with biggest rate rise in the STATE after council increases it by an absurd amount
The North Burnett Regional Council passed its $69million 2025-2026 budget on Monday.
The budget included a 25 per cent increase on all general rates and a 19 per cent increase on water and water levies.
The council is one of the largest in Queensland and covers an area of 19,700sq kilometres including the townships of Biggenden, Eidsvold, Gayndah, Monto, Mt Perry, Mundubbera and an additional 25 villages and farming catchments.
The rates will directly impact the region's 10,500 residents.
Council was divided, with three of its members voting against the bill while four voted in favour of the motion.
Those in favour were Mayor Les Hotz and councillors Michael Dingle, Susan Payne and Renee McGilvery.
Meanwhile, councillors Trina Vaughan, Moira Thompson and Melinda Jones voted against the motion.
In a fact sheet released on the council's website on Monday, the council explained the need for such a significant rate increase.
'For many years, the North Burnett Regional Council has not generated or received sufficient revenue to cover the increasing costs of delivering Council services,' it reads.
'Every single service provided by Council costs money to deliver. Everything Council does must be paid for by the ratepayer, the service user or through limited and uncertain grants from other tiers of government.
'Like every household and every business in the North Burnett, the cost of living and operating has been increasing significantly since the COVID pandemic.
'In the absence of any significant increase to the Commonwealth Government's Financial Assistance Grant, the only other principal source of revenue to fund the continuation of Council services is through rates, utility charges and user-pays fees and charges.'
The council fact sheet explained the 25 per cent rate rise would translate to an additional $31.49 a fortnight on minimum general rates for homeowners.
It also added that council operated at a $4.207million deficit in the last financial year after it received an 'unexpected receipt' in June of a 50 per cent advance payment from the Commonwealth Financial Assistance Grant.
Hotz said the rate increase was necessary to pay for council's utilities and services without having to rely on additional government grants.
He added the rate increase would amount to more than $800 for local taxpayers every year.
'We've been upfront about the challenges we're facing,' he said.
'These changes are a necessary step toward building a more sustainable Council, one that can continue to serve the North Burnett community both now and in the future.
'These increases are necessary to support Council's financial sustainability and to maintain the services our residents have told us matter most to them.'
'Council is fully aware of the potential impact rates and charges increases may have on our community.'
Hotz explained revenue from the increased rates would curb council's $2.6million deficit and bring it up to $8million by the end of the 2025 to 2026 financial year.
Council has also instituted a number of policies to support or provide relief for ratepayers struggling with the increased fees.
The bill received widespread backlash, with many residents claiming the massive increase would mean they now have to cut down on necessities.
Pensioner Colin Boot, who witnessed the budget meeting, was outraged by the 25 per cent increase.
'Ten per cent — we would have coped with it somehow, but 25 per cent?' Mr Boot told the ABC.
I just can't see where we're going to get that extra money… the only thing I can see is (cancelling) insurance.'
Former councillor Dael Giddens claimed the massive rate increase would impact the region's children.
'You might have had the kids playing cricket and soccer and doing swimming. They may only get to choose one, so unfortunately that will have an effect on our children,' Mr Giddens said.
Mundubbera resident Rachel Cumner launched a petition on Change.org calling on the council to cap all future rate rises in line with the Consumer Price Index.
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