Rates steady for most
SOME property owners will receive minor rates increases, even though the Hinchinbrook Shire Council has voted not to increase taxes on properties this financial year.
Mayor Ramon Jayo, in a statement released after budget 2020-21 deliberations on Monday, said “there will be no increase to council rates and utility charges”.
“Individual property owners may experience minor increases, or in some cases reductions to rates and utility charges compared to those paid last year,” he said.
“That outcome is because of movements in their individual property valuations and not because of any overall rate increase.”
The Townsville Bulletin reported in March that property prices in Hinchinbrook Shire had slumped 7 per cent in just two years with an oversupply of vacant land identified as a contributor.
The council has acknowledged the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, outlining initiatives to “further assist the community”, namely:
• Extending the time period for payment of rates from 30 to 60 days;
• The introduction of a Hardship Policy in order to assist the council to assess financial support for applicants on an individual basis;
• Normal charges for businesses, such as food licensing and trade waste fees, will be waived for the 2020-21 financial year;
• An extension of the policy waiving general rates for construction of new houses for a two-year period.
The Operational Budget totals $36 million, which includes $2,868,635 for road management services, $2,850,839 for waste management services, $1,792,031 for water services and $1,748,026 for public open spaces services.
“This year’s budget also reflects the need to urgently address the COVID-19 situation by the promotion of works and projects that will not only maintain council jobs, but also create short-term jobs, and assist to establish industry for long term job sustainability throughout the shire,” Cr Jayo said.
“A capital works program of $23.9 million has been allocated to include $3,175,000 for
Warrens Hill Landfill rehabilitation, $2,601,323 for road rebuild and reconstruction program, $1,190,000 for Dungeness Car Park enhancement and $550,000 for sewerage for the Forrest Beach RV Park.
“Importantly, a further $10,857,901 of disaster relief roadworks will be undertaken to further improve the road network.”
The newly elected two-term mayor said the council had committed $3.2 million on refurbishing waste facilities with this year’s program “as the base-line start to additional works in future years to an estimated value of a further $3.1 million, with these initial works being complete in 2023”.
“The Electronic Water Meter program continues into the second year of installation of the new smart meters,” he said.
“Council continues to seek funding opportunities and will receive $2.4 million under the 2019-21 Works for Queensland program and a further $1.74 million under the 2020-21 COVID Works for Queensland to assist with job creation and economic stimulus programs.”