Minute With The Mayor Acting Mayor Mary Brown

The first six monthly rates notices for the 2026-2027 financial year will begin distribution this week and for many in the community this is a time of year where it will have impact on their family and business budgets.

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This year, Council has made some modification in a number of categories within the rating system and some rate payers may notice changes to their rates notices.

I appreciate that opening a rates notice is never anyone's favourite part of the year, and for some ratepayers, particularly within the Sugar Cane and Forestry and Other Rural Land category, this year's notice may look quite different to previous years.

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For many years, Council has worked hard to keep rate increases as low as possible, recognising the unique challenges our community faces.

We understand the pressures on households, businesses and primary producers, particularly after recent years of natural disasters, rising living costs and increasing operational expenses.

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Like many families and businesses, Council has experienced significant increases in costs. In the past financial year alone, the cost of delivering essential services and maintaining infrastructure increased substantially, driven by inflation, rising material and contractor costs, and other external pressures.

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As part of preparing the 2026-27 Budget, Council engaged an independent financial specialist to review Council's long-term financial sustainability. The findings confirmed that changes were needed to ensure Council can continue delivering the essential services and infrastructure our community relies upon both now and into the future.

Following this review, Council adopted a number of changes, including a 4.5 per cent general rate increase, the introduction of a single residential rating category, adjustments to multi-unit rates, and an increase in the rate capping threshold for properties within the Sugar Cane and Forestry and Other Rural Land category.

For many years, rate capping has helped reduce the impact of increasing State Government land valuations on rural properties.  

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This year, Council increased the capping threshold from 10 per cent to 30 per cent as part of its financial sustainability strategy. While rate capping continues to apply, some rural properties may experience a larger increase than they have seen in previous years due to changes in land valuations and the revised cap.

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Council acknowledges that these increases may present challenges for some ratepayers. These decisions were not taken lightly; however, they were considered necessary to ensure Council remains financially sustainable and can continue maintaining critical infrastructure and delivering the services our community expects.

I also want to reassure residents and landowners that support is available. Council is offering payment arrangements that allow rate increases above last year's rates notice to be paid over a 12-month period, with interest waived on approved arrangements for the duration of the agreement.

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If you have questions about your rates notice or would like to discuss available support options, I encourage you to contact Council's Revenue Team on (07) 4776 4600 or email Revenue@hinchinbrook.qld.gov.au.

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While these decisions are never easy, taking action now helps ensure Council can continue to provide essential services, maintain infrastructure and support the future growth and prosperity of the Hinchinbrook Shire.

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Thank you for your understanding and your continued contribution to our community.

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