Scenic Rim Regional Council’s 2022/23 budget includes a four per cent rate rise for residents, with spending on the region’s roads, infrastructure and increased community grants.
Mayor Greg Christensen said ratepayers had been spared major rate increases in 2022-23, despite a 24.9 per cent overall increase in property valuations from the Queensland Valuer-General.
To mitigate the effect of rising property prices on ratepayers, Council will continue to average valuation changes over a two year period and has capped rate increases at nine per cent for residential and rural residential properties.
“These are properties that are owned by individuals or a family,” he said.
“To keep these caps is vital. There are properties that have gone up by forty per cent and these would be likely to see more than a nine per cent increase in their general rate, the cap will prevent this.”
“A lot of higher valuations are in lower value properties.”
Mayor Christensen said ratepayers who may have difficulty paying their rates should contact Council’s rates team as early as possible.
“Our goal is to help find a solution, not to set them up to fail.”
Kooralbyn residents will be relieved to see Hinchcliffe Bridge on Council’s capital works program for 2022/23.
Hinchcliffe Bridge will be replaced with a higher structure to improve flood immunity and widened, with a pedestrian path to be included.
Cr Michael Enright said the upgrade will provide a stronger structure to contribute to overall safety for commuters.
Freeman Bridge at Veresdale Scrub will be replaced with a concrete bridge and widened to two lanes.
The multi-million dollar project on Kerry Road will continue, with $4,990,000 to be spent.
Council’s Community Grants program will be increased by more than 35 per cent to $400,000 and the Environmental Grants program will increase by $50,000 to $150,000.
The 2022/23 budget should see Scenic Rim Regional Council return to a small surplus after several years of deficit.
