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Rates rise by ‘cup of coffee’ a week
10 July 2008
Sunshine Coast homeowners will pay on average between $91 and $143 more this year, and the cost for landlords will be as much as $304 under new rates structures passed by the Sunshine Coast Regional Council last week.
Mayor Bob Abbot defended the average 7.5% increase, saying it was akin to a beer or a cup of coffee a week.
Rates have risen 6.5% in Caloundra, 9.2% in Noosa and 8.9% in Maroochy.
Rental property owners have copped the highest increase, with the average rates rise on an investment property being between $109 for a unit in Caloundra and $304 for a house in Noosa.
Rates on investment properties in the former Noosa shire have risen 17.6%, 16.6% in Maroochy and 13.3% in Caloundra.
Pensioners will still receive a rates discount, in line with previous discounts.
The council’s budget totals $673 million, including $498 million operating expenditure, $168 million capital expenditure and $25.2 million for repayment of loans.
Mr Abbot said the rate rise equated to about $1.75 to $3 a week for the average ratepayer and was the best council could offer, given the current economic climate.
“(It) might mean one less packet of cigarettes or one less beer, or whatever,” he said.
“I understand it’s an imposition they probably didn’t want ... (but) the cost of fuel can rise that much in a tank in a day, so $3 a week over 12 months to give them the level of service they want and they’ve already got, I don’t think is unfair.
The changes will affect more than 96,000 Coast homeowners.
“Even three days ago, I still thought 9.5%, maybe 10%, but we’ve managed to get it in under that and I’m really happy with that,” Mr Abbot said.
“I was considering there might’ve been one or two initiatives like the transport levy but the councillors said no not this time, it’s too expensive for the people of the Sunshine Coast with the troubles they have been having with fuel and interest rates.”
Mr Abbot said it was the budget he never thought would happen, labelling yesterday’s adoption meeting a “meritorious day”.
“Three months to even bring together the three budgets was awesome,” he said.
Infrastructure spending remains a priority, with $212 for capital works and $17.5 million for operational projects.
Roads, waste management, waterways and coastal infrastructure have received the most funding.
Environmental programs and projects worth $8.8 million have been approved while tourism and economic development received an $8 million boost, including money for events, economic development projects and further funding for the Connecting the Coast broadband infrastructure.
Budget spending by division
DIVISION 8
Building and facilities
Sunshine Coast Airport
– $11,645,281
Waterways and coastal infrastructureMaroochy River groynes investigation to replace – $100,000
Transportation
Ten bus stop shelters, David Low Way – $125,000
Ocean Drive, Mudjimba off-road shared pathway (Cottonwood Street to Nortth Shore Road) – $440,000
Ocean Drive, Twin Waters off-road shared pathway – $60,000
DIVISION 9
Building and facilities
Three new cabins at Coolum Caravan Park – $220,000
Renew public toilet block, Point Arkwright – $220,000
Parks, bushland and open space
Tickle Park, Coolum Beach – $80,000
Lions Park, Coolum – $20,000
Jack Morgan Park – $14,000
Birrahl Park $30,000
Waterway and coastal infrastructure
Stormsurge investigation and design – $50,000
Beach fencing – $20,000
Beach access – $80,000
Strategic land planning
Sunshine Motorway, Coolum – $1,600,000
Transportation
Russell Street pathway, Coolum – $40,000
Coolum Integrated Transport Plan – continuation
DIVISION 11
Building and facilities
Peregian Beach community centre and car park – $350,000
Parks, bushland and open space
Peregian Beach, Persimmon Park playground – $50,000
Waterways and coastal Beach access at South Peregian Beach – $50,000
Transportation
David Low Way South Peregian corridor improvements – continuation
Various cycleways and pathways – $360,000.
Mayor Bob Abbot addresses the inaugural meeting of the Sunshine Coast Regional Council at the Innovation Centre at the University of the Sunshine Coast. Photo: Brett Wortman/bw173861p
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