Media reports in February 2023 suggested that Woodgate had the highest property rates in Queensland. Understandably, residents were extremely concerned.
The Bundaberg Regional Ratepayers Association claimed Woodgate rates were the highest in the State and triple that of Gold Coast properties, based on data supplied by Councils to the Department of State Government, Infrastructure, Local Government & Planning.
Bundaberg Regional Council however, insisted data provided to the Department were incorrect (subsequently amended) and that it was inaccurate to compare Councils as some outsource services such as waste collection and water supply and, all Council’s differ in population density and infrastructure.
Woodgate residents paying highest rates in state, 7 News Wide Bay, 3 Feb 2023
Bundy suburb pays highest rates in Queensland, Bundaberg Today, 3 Feb 2023
Response
Bundaberg Regional Council Deputy Mayor and member for Division 2, Mr Bill Trevor OAM stated at a WDRA meeting:
- Data supplied to the State Government by the Council were incorrect and have been adjusted.
- Rating categories were simplified in 2012 after Council amalgamations. In the Bundaberg region, coastal Divisions were grouped together in one category, which did cause an increase in rates for Woodgate properties.
- Woodgate properties, compared to other properties within the Bundaberg Regional Council, do have the highest rates. This is due to Woodgate’s smaller population in comparison with other Divisions in the “coastal” rates category and a considerable jump in property values over the past few years.
- Bundaberg Regional Council rates include the cost of all services.