VOTE NO TO A FEE RISE
Council proposal to freeze all charges due to COVID fallout
CAIRNS Regional Council has the opportunity to win major brownie points with cash-strapped ratepayers today when it votes on a proposal to freeze all fees and charges for the coming year.
Councillors will vote on the recommendation that the fees and charges, which amount to about $19 million yearly, are frozen at their current level for 2020-21.
The freeze would warm the heart of those sick of the rising price of parking. Fees were due to increase 20c up to $2 per hour but look likely to remain stagnant at their current $1.80 level.
It remains to be seen what happens with general rates and utility costs, but the stars are aligned for a suspension on hikes to fees and charges for things like dog registration, venue hire and dump costs.
THE hammer is about to drop on a decision that will affect the finances of every resident in the Cairns region for the coming year – including anyone sick of the rising price of parking.
Cairns Regional Council will today vote on a proposal to freeze all fees and charges at their current level in response to the heightened financial stress caused by the COVID-19 fallout.
It remains to be seen what happens with general rates and utility costs, but the stars are aligned for a suspension on hikes to fees and charges for things like dog registration, venue hire and dump costs.
Parking fees are also due to increase 20c up to $2 per hour but look likely to remain stagnant at their current $1.80 level.
“In 2015 council adopted the practice of increasing fees and charges on a biennial basis which would have seen an increase in the 2020-21 year,” a council report states.
“Due to the impacts of COVID-19, a decision has been made to freeze fees and charges in the 2020-21 year.”
Cat registration is set to remain free, regardless of whether the animal is desexed or not.
Registering a new dog is set at $42 for the first year or $35 if the pet has undergone level 3 obedience training.
Renewals are set at $42 for desexed dogs and $130 for entire dogs – discounted to $35 and $69 if the hound has a recognised obedience training certificate.
Holding an athletics carnival at Barlow Park costs $205.75 per hour while staging a wedding in a park or foreshore costs $78 per booking, with a two-hour time limit.
Residents can also hire a flag pole for a week for $50.20, entomb a loved one in a mausoleum vault for $11,302, or organise a single E.coli test through the council’s laboratory services department for $38.30.
The council’s main revenue source is its rates and utility charges, but these separate fees and charges still contribute about $19 million to the coffers each year – about 6 per cent of total operating revenue.
The decision still has to go to a vote at this morning’s meeting.