ON THE AGENDA | Budget 2019/20: Is another rate rise on the cards?

DOUGLAS SHIRE COUNCIL

Howard Salkow

Senior Journalist

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The Douglas Shire Council’s 2019/20 budget will take centre stage in an open meeting in Council Chambers on Tuesday and there will be much anticipation whether rates will be increased.


Based on what Mayor Julia Leu said in June last year – “there will always be rate rises” – one suspects Douglas rate payers will be hit again.

She added at the time: “While we would all prefer not to have rate rises, it is something we think carefully about and the impact it will have on the rate payers. I do, however, consider this modest (3.9%) and our residents will benefit from the investments we are making over the next 12 months.”

Since the 2014/15 financial year, the following rate increases have applied:

  • 2014/15 = 5.2%
  • 2015/16 = 3.9%
  • 2016/17 = 3.9%
  • 2017/18 = 3.9%
  • 2018/19 = 3.9%

And following the rate increase in June last year, a Newsport reader pointed out the hike in residential utility charges since de-amalgamation:

  • Sewerage - Up 22.6%
  • Cleansing (garbage collection) - Up 31.9%
  • Water Access Fee - Up 35.1%
  • Water charge per kilolitre - Up 33.0%
  • The cost of water for commercial properties is even higher at $1.56 per kilolitre.

There will be three meetings on Tuesday: the first an Ordinary Meeting; a Closed Session, followed by a Special Meeting where the 2019/20 budget will be brought down.

The ordinary and special meetings are open to the public.


Douglas Shire Council Ordinary Meeting
Tuesday, 25 June 2019 10:00am
Table of contents


1. Procurement policy
2. Enterprise risk management general policy and guidelines review
3. Audit committee policy
4. Corporate plan 2019-2024
5. Operational plan 2019-20

Full agenda: https://douglas.qld.gov.au/download/council_meetings/meeting_agendas/1-Announcement-and-Table-of-Contents_11.pdf



Douglas Shire Council Ordinary Meeting
Closed session
Tuesday, 25 June 2019 10:00am
Table of contents

1. Prejudicial matter - Council grants program out of round June 2019
2. Prejudicial matter - Corporate risk register and risk treatment plans
3. Prejudicial matter - Internal audit projects 2018-19
4. Contractual matter - Daintree River ferry tender 

Douglas Shire Council Special Meeting
Tuesday, 25 June 2019 11:00am
Table of contents


1. Differential general rates 2019/2020
2. Mowbray Valley rural fire brigade - special charge 2019/2020
3. Daintree rural fire brigade - special charge 2019/2020
4. Thornton peak rural fire brigade - special charge 2019/2020
5. Wonga rural fire brigade - special charge 2019/2020
6. Bloomfield River rural fire brigade - special charge 2019/2020
7. Refuse - special charge 2019/2020
8. Utility charges and associated rating matters 2019/2020
9. Statement of estimated financial position 2019/2020
10. Annual budget 2019/2020

Full agenda: https://douglas.qld.gov.au/event/special-council-meeting-june-25-2019/


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