PETITION DEMANDS FAIRNESS IN COUNCIL RATES

Bundaberg Regional Ratepayers Association are seeking support for their petition to the Queensland Government to make mandatory on all Queensland Councils the document 'Guideline on Equity and Fairness in Rating for Queensland local governments'.

The Guidelines leapt into the headlines in 2020 when farmers right across the Bundaberg region were hit with “bolt from the blue” council rates increases of up to 235%.

In a battle with Bundaberg Regional Council to reverse the rates decision, a consortium of farmer groups brought to their councillors’ attention the Guideline, which sets out the rights and wrongs of setting rates.

Now, with ratepayers across the region reeling from the latest round of general rates, a call for the Guideline to be made mandatory is being put to the whole of Queensland.

Bundaberg Regional Ratepayers Association President Janette Young said: “This is a fundamental document and a right of all of us to have equity and fairness in the level of rates applied to all of our properties. To do that, it seems that we have to go to State level and ask, that the Guidelines become more than that –they need to be a requirement on our council.”

Mrs Young, President of the Association, is Principal Petitioner and Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett has sponsored the petition.

It reads: Queensland citizens draws to the attention of the House, Queensland councils generate approximately 65% of their operating income through rates revenue. There are established Queensland Rating Guidelines which include principles on predictability, fairness and equity in rating decisions, but no legal obligation on councils to follow these guidelines or to provide justification for rating decisions. As a result, councils’ approach to rating decisions is inconsistent across the State and often lack transparency and accountability in this area of decision-making. This is leading to rate bill shocks in many local government areas across Queensland which are hurting business and industry and impeding potential investment and economic growth.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to legislate the Guideline on Equity and Fairness in Rating for Queensland local governments to ensure all Queensland councils are bound by its principles.

The petition will close on 15 August 2023, and is at: www. parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Petitions/ Petition-Details?id=3868 or find out more at www.bundyrra.au 