Wednesday 17 June 2020

Council Rates Frozen in BCC Budget

Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner has today announced the first Council rates freeze in 35 years to help support residents, businesses and community groups.

 

Rates traditionally rise annually on 1 July, but this year there will be no increase for 6 months. When rates are adjusted in January 2021, they will rise on average by 2.5%, however more than 3,500 households are expected to receive a rates decrease. This rate freeze will apply to both residential and business rates.

 

Council is also injecting $840 million into major infrastructure projects. The budget allocates $344.8 million over 4 years, in partnership with the Federal Government, to fix congestion and improve traffic flow on suburban roads through the Better Roads for Brisbane program. Another $107 million will be invested over the next year on footpath reconstruction and maintenance and $58 million will be spent over 2 years on major cycleway projects. The annual kerbside collection will be paused for 2 years with funding redirected into economic recovery initiatives. Free tip vouchers will be distributed to all Brisbane households from 1 July, including renters, and native plants will be free for residential tenants.