By Logan mayor Jon Raven
I’d like to set the record straight.
Some corners of social media and news have said that Logan delivered the largest rates increase in south-east Queensland this year.
That’s not true.
Logan’s minimum general rate increased by 5.1%.
That’s lower than Ipswich (5.44%), Somerset (6%), Noosa (6.13%), Redlands (6.53%), Toowoomba (6.88%) and the Sunshine Coast (11.64%).
Only Gold Coast (4.7%), Moreton Bay (4.69%) and Brisbane (3.97%) came in lower.
But that’s only part of the story.
What’s really important to ratepayers is the bottom line.
The total rates and charges that appear on your rates notice.
That’s the full cost to your hip pocket.
Some councils highlight the number that suits them best. Usually the smallest one.
That’s not what we do in Logan.
We’re upfront about the real impact, no matter how it looks.
To compare fairly, you need to take out water and sewerage, because most councils don’t provide those services like we do.
When you do that, Logan’s increase is the second lowest in the region at 6.02%.
Ipswich, Noosa and the Gold Coast were all higher than us, but under 7%.
Brisbane was above 7%, Moreton Bay and the Sunshine Coast above 9%, and Redlands and Somerset above 10%.
Importantly, our rate increase is lower than last year’s.
It breaks a trend of rising increases that have been building over the last decade.
That didn’t happen by chance.
It came from councillors making conscious decisions to hold the line on costs.
We know that many households across Logan are doing it tough, and no one likes a rate increase.
That’s why we’re making sure your money is invested in the infrastructure that makes your life better like roads, parks, sports and community facilities.
This year our focus on efficiency will continue as we review all the services council provides to make sure they’re delivering value for money.
Subscribe to stay up-to-date with news from across Logan. You’ll receive a link to our digital newspaper direct to your inbox each week. It’s free.
