Mayor sorry for rate confusion

CAIRNS Regional Council Mayor Bob Manning has responded to community outrage over a proposed investment property rate rise.

The council has come under heavy fire for plans to introduce an extra charge on non principal places of residence, with a leading Cairns commercial realtor labelling it a wealth tax.

The rate change proposal is contentious even among councillors with Division 9 councillor Brett Olds conceding the idea needed to be scrapped while Division 1 councillor Brett Moller, earlier this week, penned an opinion piece for the Cairns Post explaining the rationale behind the proposal.

Cr Manning moved to allay concerns from the public with his statement apologising for any lack of transparency or confusion.

“I would like to thank the community for their recent feedback on council’s intention to introduce a new rating category, specifically for nonprincipal place of residence (PPR),” Cr Manning said.

“We have recently sent letters to property owners, seeking information on the PPR or Non-PPR status of their respective properties, which will be used as part of council’s budget considerations.

“We are tasked to balance rates against the need to continue to deliver to the service levels expected by the community and preserve the liveability of our city in a sustainable manner.

“I appreciate that some people have concern in understanding the financial impact of the potential change. “For that I apologise. “Council will continue to receive feedback as requested and consider this as part of our budgetary process.

“I assure you that no decisions shall be made without full and open transparency.”

The letter addressed to likely owners of investment properties in Cairns, informing them of the intended new rates, was met with a firestorm of fury from property owners and realtors.