Council works to implement a more equal rates structure

Livingstone Shire Council is looking to reduce the rates burden on those less able to pay.

As part of 2022-23 budget deliberations, Council is proposing changes to the system that would restore a greater influence by the rateable value of the property.

Acting Mayor, Adam Belot said all levels of government have a responsibility to try and improve the quality of life for the people they represent. 

“This principle has certainly weighed heavily on Councillors when considering the budget for 2022-23 especially, with unprecedented cost of living pressures impacting on individual and family budgets. Who would have thought that a lettuce could cost $11?” Cr Belot said.

“As a result of these pressures, Councillors and officers have left no stone unturned in their collective efforts to construct the fairest, most responsible and effective budget that is possible for the next financial year.

“An example of these efforts will see a shift away from reliance on regressive separate levies like the road and environment levies and instead collect the required revenue through the much fairer rating system calculated on the value of a property. 

“Perhaps this is best explained by the age-old adage that ‘to those who have more, more is expected’.

“Historically, Livingstone has the highest separate levies of any Council in Queensland, and this means the lowest valued properties are paying the same as the highest valued properties when it comes to separate levies.

“None of us want to pay more taxes or rates yet paying a fair amount of tax is a responsibility that we share if we want to live in a sustainable, growing community with fantastic services and good infrastructure.

“Importantly, if we can collect rates in a fairer way to achieve this, then it is incumbent on this Local Government to consider making this change sooner rather than later.”

Council is due to deliver its budget on July 26.