Sunshine Coast ratepayers will lose their $63.45 early bird discount but have been spared an increase in general rates while pensioners have been promised an extra 14 per cent off in this year’s council budget.
People who pay their bills before the due date will no longer receive the on-time discount of five per cent which is being scrapped, with that $10 million directed instead to disaster services.
The cost of wheelie bin collection will rise 2.5 per cent ($7.70) to $316.80 while the Environment Levy would jump by $4 to $80, with 100 per cent of that extra $600,000 for the council coffers targeted at invasive weeds.
Sunshine Coast Council handed down its 2021/2022 budget on Thursday which revealed most residential properties will continue to pay rates of around $1,269.
Mayor Mark Jamieson said the budget, which had an operating surplus of $18.8 million, was aimed at supporting and growing the region during “challenging times” caused by the COVID pandemic.
“We developed a considered budget which focuses on support, safety and local recovery,” said Mayor Jamieson.
“To this end there will be no increase to the minimum general rate which will benefit the majority of our ratepayers.
“All pensioners will benefit from a 14 per cent increase in their pensioner concession rate. Sole home owners on full pensions will receive a $262 concession, an increase of $32.
“Those on part-pensions will also benefit with their concession increasing to between $74 and $205, depending on whether they own the property solely or jointly.
“There will be no increases in the majority of our levies with the exception of the Environment Levy where we are proposing a $4 increase for each rateable property.
“To account for the increase in contractor expenses the cost of collecting a standard 240L domestic wheelie bin will increase by $7.70 from $309.10 to $316.80.
“And we will continue our unwavering commitment to supporting the region’s economy from the impacts of COVID by investing $268.9 million in job-creating local infrastructure projects along with increasing our spending on frontline services.”
Mayor Jamieson said the council’s $268.9 million capital works program (listed below) was one of the largest in South-east Queensland, outside Brisbane and would create jobs while building local infrastructure.
The budget papers reveal the Transport Levy and the Heritage Levy have not increased and remain $44 and $13 per annum respectively.
Mayor Jamieson said the saving from scrapping the five percent rates discount would re-establish the $5 million Disaster Rehabilitation Reserve.
“This is a financially prudent approach to support our growing community, while avoiding an across-the-board increase in the general rate,” he said.
“Council remains committed however, to assisting ratepayers who cannot pay in full by the due date and will be continuing to offer payment arrangements.
“Anyone experiencing financial hardship only needs to contact council before their rates are due, to arrange payment by instalments over a six-month period, without interest being charged.”
The special rates and charges of the Mooloolah Island Maintenance Charge, the Brightwater Estate Landscaping Charge, Rural Fire Charge and the Montville Beautification Levy have not changed.
The Sunshine Cove Maintenance Charge has increased by 8% in the 2021/22 financial year. The Twin Waters Maintenance Charge has increased by 4% in the 2021/22 financial year.
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Waste Management domestic waste charges for the 2021/22 financial year have increased
on average 2.5%:
- 140 litre domestic waste container serviced weekly has increased by $6.70, from $269.20 to $275.90
- 240 litre domestic waste container serviced weekly has increased by $7.70, from $309.10 to $316.80.
- 240 litre garden waste container serviced fortnightly has not increased. Holding tank service charges have increased by 1%.
Cr Christian Dickson said the $4 Environment Levy increase equated to 8 cents a week extra to ratepayers while the higher rubbish collection charge was only 15 cents per week more.
Cr Jason O’Pray said this year’s budget was the “weed budget” which would help tackle the problem of invasive plant species on the Coast.
Cr Winston Johnston said it did not make sense to continue offering the discount for paying rates on time.
Council’s $816 million budget includes:
- $169 million for roads, pathways and stormwater assets
- $96 million on waste management services and infrastructure
- $87 million for parks, gardens and sporting facilities
- $54 million for libraries, galleries, community facilities and lifeguard services
- $67 million for network planning, development services, local laws and property management
- $35 million for environment, including beaches, foreshores, bushland conservation and clean energy
- $33 million for economic initiatives, including major events, Caloundra Aerodrome and holiday parks
- $13 million to replace council’s operational services fleet and information technology systems
- $7 million for community events and grants
