Welcome to this week’s Mayor’s Update. Each week, we look to keep you informed about the latest Council developments, events, and initiatives. Your engagement and feedback are valuable; please see the details at the end of this notice if you would like to get in touch with myself or another divisional councillor.
Council recently adopted its annual budget for the 2024-2025 financial year. This is a foundational element for continued service delivery and includes over 25 council resolutions and a comprehensive suite of information. It covers everything from policies and fees and charges, to rate decisions and major capital expenditure.
Over the coming weeks, we will look to break down the budget. This week, we will focus on fees and charges, general rates, and some of the discounts and rebates that may be available.
2024/2025 Fees and Charges
Fees and charges are a key part of Council’s revenue, helping to lessen the load on ratepayers by sharing costs among those who use certain services directly. Some residents use services such as waste disposal or building certification more than others. Fees and charges allow these costs to be fairly distributed.
Each year, the fees and charges are developed in consultation with management and councillors during the budget process. This year, the average increase is 3.6% though specific increases vary. Overall, fees and charges represent approximately 3.4% ($1,832,884) of Council’s total operational income.
In adopting its 2024-2025 fees and charges, Council resolved to remove hall hire charges for community not for profit organisations registered with Council to enhance community access to these facilities.
Residents are reminded that the 2024-2025 fees and charges will take effect on 1 August 2024 as presented, or 1 October 2024 for long term caravan park guests.
General Rate Increase
Council passed a general rate increase of 5%, understanding the financial pressures on households while considering the funding needed for essential services.
Rates and charges support a wide range of local government services, including but not limited to roads, water and wastewater services, parks and gardens, environmental health, planning and building services, animal management, community and cultural development, library services, disaster management and planning, information management, as well as corporate and financial services.
General rates are based on property valuations, with a minimum rate applied per assessment. For more details, please see Council’s “Your Rates Explained” document on our website.
Discounts and Rebates
Council has retained a discount of 5% for the general rate if a rate notice is paid in full, including arrears, on or before the adopted due date.
Council also provides administrative support to the Queensland State Government Pensioner Rate Subsidy Scheme (PRSS), which provides a subsidy for eligible pensioners. The State Government subsidy is currently set at 20% of the applicable rates and charges, up to a maximum of $200 per annum. Application forms for this subsidy are available at any of Council’s Customer Service Centres, by phoning Council or visiting Council’s website.
Council also works with ratepayers who are experiencing financial hardship. If you have concerns about your rates, please contact Council’s rates team on 1300 696 272 to discuss your situation.
Bushfire Season
Bushfires can threaten suddenly, so you should always be ready to act. There are many resources available to provide you and your family with information about being bushfire aware. The ‘Bushfire Community Warning’ video from the Queensland Fire Department will help you understand bushfire warnings and know where to find them. Whether you have a rural lifestyle or live in town, we all need to know what to do if a bushfire approaches. Watch the video here www.fire.qld.gov.au/prepare/bushfire/tune-in-to-warnings or to find out more about bushfires visit the Queensland Fire Department website: www.fire.qld.gov.au/
Free Grant Writing Workshops
Join grant writer Olivia Everitt for a three-hour Grant Writing for the Arts workshop (beginner-intermediate level). This workshop explores the nuts and bolts of writing successful grant applications.
Workshops are suitable for individual artists (of any discipline), arts organisations or collectives, heritage groups, festival organisers, event managers and arts workers seeking funding for their creative practice, organisation or project. Head over to Council’s website for more information and to register your place.
Workshops will be held:
- Monto Community Hall – Tuesday 30 July 4:30 – 7:30pm
- Eidsvold Community Hall – Wednesday 31 July 10am – 1pm
- Mt Perry Community Hall – Friday 9 August 10am – 1pm
- Gayndah Town Hall – Wednesday 14 August 10am – 1pm
- Mundubbera Community Hall – Monday 2 September 10am – 1pm
Civil Works Schedule
Below the Maintenance Schedule for week commencing 22 July – weather permitting.
Maintenance Grading –
- Zone 1: Coominglah Road
- Zone 2: Old Rawbelle Road to Dareen-Glencoe Road
- Zone 3: Beneckes Road to Prices Road
- Zone 4: McLeods Road
- Zone 7: Boondooma Road to Apels Road to Briggs Road – Flood Work
- Zone 8: Mill Road to Darlington’s Road to Deems Road
Construction Crew
- North: Mountain View Road grading
- South: Gayndah Mt Perry Rd – Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme Project
Councillor Contacts
As always, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me directly on 0458 696 272, or cr.les.hotz@northburnett.qld.gov.au or your Divisional Councillor, if you would like to address any concerns. Our contact details can be found on Council’s website: https://northburnett.qld.gov.au/meet-your-councillors.