24/05/2026
🚨IMPORTANT🚨 I don't ever get political as my work goes - for obvious reasons. However, if you currently pay rates to Bundaberg Regional Council on an investment property, Air BnB or live in a principal place of residence within a lifestyle village, this MUST be brought to your attention!
There is a massive rates rise being voted on at their next meeting on June 2nd - that's next week. If you're an investor, Mum & Dad or otherwise, you're about to be slogged up to a 30% INCREASE in your rates in coming years.
If you're living in a lifestyle village, the percentage is not clear, but it certainly will mean HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS difference in your rates bill.
If you have an Airbnb, you're already paying a 30% surcharge, and this is proposed to GO UP ANOTHER 70%! That's right, they want to charge your rates at DOUBLE what owner-occupiers pay. This is madness!
NO; this is not a typo.
YES; this will impact you or someone you care about if you have a second property or are aspiring to purchase one or a loved-one lives in a lifestyle village.
DO NOT let it happen by signing the below e-petition.
There is already a 10% surcharge for investors / 30% on short-term / Air BnB - which is more than enough to cover what Council justify as:
"Properties that are not used as primary residences - especially holiday rentals - often place greater strain on council services such as increased traffic, higher waste generation and additional maintenance needs, compared to permanent homes."
That doesn't cut the mustard for me and feels like a dollar-grab because Council are struggling to keep their head above water when it comes to their budget management duties for our City. Our rates are already expensive and we pay them. Now IS NOT the time to put them up substantially, again.
If you feel the same way and own one of these properties or are simply concerned this will cause a knee-jerk reaction from investors to drive rents up further, then sign the below link - it takes under a minute:
Stop Bundaberg council's unfair rate increase proposal
