Fee rises set to kick in

Dog registration among 4pc charge hikes

THE cost of registering a puppy will rise to $42 a year from July as Cairns Regional Council introduces across-theboard increases to fees and charges.

The council will vote on the sweeping 4 per cent fee spike at its ordinary meeting on Wednesday. Separate rate rises are expected to be unveiled at the end of next month ahead of the 2018-19 Budget.

The only fees not included in the increase are entry to recycling facilities – up to $105 from $80 last year for commercial recycling collection businesses and other councils – and parking fees.

Regulated on-street parking is already set to undergo 20¢ annual increases over the next three years.

The new fees were scheduled to be voted on this week before the council postponed its meeting in the wake of statewide legislation changes affecting local government conflicts of interest.

Mayor Bob Manning said the 4 per cent hike should not come as a surprise.

“That was predetermined back two budgets ago,” he said.

“We said we’re not going to put them up every year, we’ll put them up every second year.

“This will now stay in place for two years unless we change the policy.”

General rates and utility charges form the lion’s share of the council’s income, but fees and charges still reel in about $20 million a year or 7 per cent of total operating revenue.

They encompass everything from venue hire – exclusive use of the Sister Cities barbecue on the eastern side of the Cairns Lagoon will now cost $884 for a day – to health licensing and bailing a pet out of the pound.

Cr Manning would not reveal what rate increases could be expected but said effort was taken to ensure they were minimal.

“The budget will be a responsible budget,” he said.

“I do not believe people will be disappointed with it.”