Sue Brooks’ Blog

sue November 19th, 2008

I am amazed at some of the comments about the facts relating to the decision by Flight Training Australia not to proceed with their plans to relocate here. While I agree that the proposed flight training school would have brought some economic benefits to our region I understand that a very great percentage of the millions of dollars been touted as entering our community, would have been through fuel sales. I am disappointed that there is so much finger pointing and a ‘blame game’ occurring.

In my opinion Council followed a very responsible and diligent process which was agreed to by Council. No Councillors have formally asked for the negotiation process to be changed. I don’t think the decision to not proceed with the proposal is based primarily on issues relating to Council. I believe that in the current economic climate, FTQ have made a decision based on economic realities. I expect Council will release a media statement today including advice that the information evenings have now been cancelled.

• Council related issues
• Comments(0)

sue November 8th, 2008

Well at last this topic does seem to be generating some much needed debate. At this weeks Ordinary Council Meeting held in Hervey Bay a petition was presented to Council by Maryborough residents opposed to some aspects of the proposed FTA facility at the Maryborough Airport. Several other Hervey Bay residents also spoke against the proposal. As a result of this continuuing interest and questions from residents wanting more knowledge about the proposal I asked Council to support two information sessions one each for Maryborough and Hervey Bay. Cr Dalgleish seconded the motion and it was supported unanimously.

The sessions will be held prior to December 15th and I will confirm dates and venues tomorrow. It may be a good idea for anyone who is interested to know more to visit the FTA website. I was surprised about some of the perceptions that our residents have about the school including the opportunity for students to board locally or receive English tuition. From my knowledge this would not occur as the school is very self contained. Students eat, sleep and play on campus while they are training. They have all their basic requirements met and are very busy learning how to be pilots. The school would have its own sports grounds and entertainment facilities including a bar. Students are predominantly overseas students who return to their home countries to fly for their respective airlines. Please visit http://www.flighttrainingadelaide.com/ to learn more. Thanks, Sue

• Council related issues
• Comments(2)

sue October 27th, 2008

It was interesting to read the recent media coverage re the potential Flight Training School (Flight Training Queensland) proposal to locate to the Fraser Coast. This school is a very professionally run school currently based in Adelaide. The Maryborough City Council had made commitments about this school prior to amalgamation but final decisions etc will be made by the ‘new’ Fraser Coast Regional Council.

Questions that come to my mind relate to ‘real’ economic return for the region, ‘real’ cost to Council and the impact of noise on both Maryborough and Hervey Bay residents. Although the school buildings etc are proposed to be built on the Maryborough airport grounds the aircraft will use both airports to facilitate their training. The amount of flying undertaken is an issue as, in my personal opinion, the impact of 6 planes a day flying over my house is quite different to that from a possible plane flying over my house every 6 minutes.

Here is a recent media release responding to questions forwarded by the Fraser Coast Chronicle to the FCRC CEO Mr Andrew Brien. 

23 October 2008

1: Is the flight training school plan being held up – if so why?  

The FTQ Project is still in the process of negotiation between the two parties, these being the Fraser Coast Regional Council and Flight Training Australia.  The process for negotiating an agreement of this type is complex and there is a need to ensure that all parties are happy with the final agreement. The Council and FTQ continue to discuss the project.

2: When do we expect to see movement on the flight training school if it is not being held up?  

A number of workshops, a site visit to Adelaide and updates provided by State Government Departments have already been undertaken. Council has been progressively briefed on the FTQ project. Many of the briefings have been undertaken on a confidential basis due to the commercial nature of discussions.

3: Have officials any documented evidence that the flight training school should not go ahead?  

The Council has been provided with extensive information in relation to the project which outlines all of the benefits and issues associated with the project.  This information has been assessed and matters identified are being worked through. 

4: Are there any Council officials stalling the project?  

No. 

5: Does the flight path of the proposed school fly over the CEO’s house?  

While the question is irrelevant, the Flight Training School at this stage has not provided any flight paths.  A review of the flight paths of the existing Flight Training Australia operations in Adelaide shows that the majority of houses in Maryborough would be under the flight path.  This is shown on the diagram contained in a report prepared by Airservices Australia. The map is provided below and provides an overview of the flight paths over the Parafield site over a 3 week period.

ENDS

My copying and pasting skills are lacking so here is the link to the report which includes maps of flight paths etc at the Adelaide Parafield Airport.

http://www.airservices.gov.au/projectsservices/reports/nfpms/2006/PF1484.pdf

• Council related issues
• Comments(28)

sue October 15th, 2008

There is a Special (Council) Meeting called on behalf of the Mayor, as I understand it, tomorrow at 1.30pm at Hervey Bay. This meeting has been called to decide on the recommendations of the Water Review Committee.  I expect that Council will make a decision in relation to the future structure for water and sewerage services provision for the Fraser Coast. I expect the discussion to take place in open Council and not behind doors in confidential or closed session.

Here is the link.

http://www.frasercoast.qld.gov.au/council/meetings/Ordinary%20Meetings/ORDINARY%20MEETING%20AGENDA%20and%20MINUTES.shtml

The meeting agenda can be found under the Ordinary meetings heading on the FCRC web site.

Rather than post anew post I am including the Resolution that resulted from the Special meeting which is as follows.

RESOLUTION ( Brooks / Nioa )

        That:  

•  
  • 1. Council endorse the findings of the Water Review Committee in relation to the establishment of a single water entity for the Fraser Coast Regional Council;
    2. A Transition Plan, including financial arrangements, governance arrangements and pricing structures be developed through the Water Review Committee and be provided to Council for resolution;
    3. Staff and Union consultation with Fraser Coast Water staff commence immediately in relation to the proposed changes;
    4. The existing Council representatives on the Water Review Committee continue to progress the recommendations in conjunction with Wide Bay Water;
    5. An effective date of 1 July 2009 be set for the commencement of the entity; and
    6. The following guiding principles be used for the development of Terms of Reference for the Transitional Committee: 
• All findings, recommendations and areas for improvement of both the Yarra Valley Water Report and the Price Waterhouse Coopers Report be incorporated into the transitional arrangements;
• A further review of the AEC Report and the PWC prepared by the former Hervey Bay City Council and Wide Bay Water respectively;
• The development and implementation of a staff transitional plan consistent with the provisions of the Workforce Transition Code of Practice; and
• Regular reports be provided to Council on the development and implementation of the transition plan.

                        Carried Unanimously

I am pleased with this resolution as it gives us the opportunity to closely examine the best way forward for combining our water and sewerage activities. The inclusion of a review of the HBCC commissioned AEC report is also intended to ensure that issues addressed within this report are looked at by the current Council.

• Council related issues
• Comments(0)

sue September 21st, 2008

Ergon Energy Tidy Town Awards presented
Cr Debbie Hawes presented the Council with two 2008 Keep Australia Beautiful State Awards that she accepted at a function on 1 September in Cairns. Hervey Bay won the Ergon Energy Tidy Towns 2008 Litter Prevention Award and Maryborough won the inaugural Grundfos Pumps Sustainable Cities Heritage Award.

Petitions tabled
Cr David Dalgleish tabled a petition signed by 104 residents wanting the Council to leave the barriers in Samarai Drive in place. Cr Belinda McNeven tabled a petition from 27 signatories wanting the Council to introduce a policy of non disclosure of submitters’ details on documents such as public comment on development applications in particular.

Bird activities and feeding addressed
The Council will liaise with the EPA about the management of Ibis on the Fraser Coast following complaints from residents about Australian white ibis nesting on islands in the Anembo Lakes system. Residents claim the ibis are smelly, noisy and an eyesore affecting their quality of life. The Wildlife Preservation Society (Fraser Coast Branch) and the Hervey Bay Birdwatchers will be asked to continue an ibis monitoring program at Anembo Lakes during the breeding season. Open rubbish tins will be progressively replaced with bins with lids, techniques will be implemented to deter ibis from the Council’s landfills and transfer station, pepper trees will be removed from the islands in stages and public education programs will continue. The Council will also educate the public on feeding wild birds through educational material, onsite signage and media.

I was a bit disappointed that Councillors voted against a recommendation that staff investigate the potential to install bird seed/feed dispensers at appropriate locations which had been discussed at our portfolio meeting. I thought this could have been an innovative way to improve water quality and bird (and other wildlife) health, but the majority of Councillors were against this recommendation so it lost.

Civic reception for athlete Julie Smith
Paralympics bronze medal winner Julie Smith will be given a civic reception on her return form Beijing. The 25-year-old 200-metre runner now lives in Townsville but was formerly from Maryborough.

Council to ask for Traveston Dam study results
I asked that Council write to the State Government asking for a copy of the Supplementary Environmental Impact Study for the proposed Traveston Dam. The study was tabled in Parliament by Shadow Minister for Sustainable Environment and Climate Change and Shadow Minister for Clean Energy Strategy and member for Gympie David Gibson on 11 September. This recommendation was carried.

Logo and Branding

On Thursday we launched the new regional branding and corporate logo. This was developed via Cr Anne Nioa’s portfolio. I like the overall effect that the branding gives. The Fraser Coast wording is similar to that used by Tourism Queensland so it avoids confusion. I don’t think it would be possible to produce something that everyone likes and I personally don’t ‘like’ some minor aspects of the ‘package’ but I’m glad that we have an image with which  to ‘label’ ourselves. The magazine published by Council called “Our Fraser Coast” showcases the branding and you should receive a copy via your letterbox in the near future. Do let us know if you don’t receive one by the end of Sept.  Advertising in this magazine offset the cost of producing it.

• Council related issues
• Comments(11)

sue September 6th, 2008

I find it often frustrating, sometimes pleasing, regularly annoying, monotonously depressing but always interesting to read articles in our local Chronicle about Council staff, Councillors and Council activities. I am glad that we have a local press and that we have some free newspapers in circualtion also, but I always remember two things. Firstly The media survives as a business and can only exist if it makes a profit and secondly what we read in the newspapers is often inaccurate or incorrect. 

I don’t agree that anyone, in particular our community leaders, should use the media for personal political gain. I don’t believe that journalists or editors should spread rumour and gossip. I also worry that our media focuses so heavily on negative news that we begin to believe we live in a world where everyone is ‘bad’ and that everything about society is ‘bad’. I would appreciate a more equal balance.

So to the recent stories about Council. I didn’t ‘go to ground’ anywhere as is reported today and I haven’t found any messages on my blackberry alerting me to any requests for interviews. I regularly respond to any questions that I am asked by our local journalists and am happy to do so. Yes there are personality differences within Council which is absolutely normal when you put together 11 strong minded and opinionated people and a new (to most of us) CEO and Directors and Managers. Yes it is still a time of learning about all that went on throughout all the Councils prior to amalgamation, including all the very good works that were done and also the things that could have been done better with the glorious option of hindsight. But all in all I think the Fraser Coast Regional Council has done an excellent job so far.

I think there is always room for continual improvement and an opportunity to fine tune how best we run Council meetings and ensure that we do consult with and inform our community better about the things we do. I totally agree with Ms Bates comments on Friday that Council should not be run ‘like a party room’ and I am determined to have my say and vote accordingly, based on what I believe is the right course of action and in the best interests of the community. It is important to be able to agree to disagree and move on to the next decision while respecting the views of others. I don’t think it is productive for the media to focus on negative comments and emotional outbursts. I would much prefer it reported on how Councillors vote and why they vote the way they do. Then the community will gain a better understanding of what actually ‘goes on’ in a Council meeting.

Please take what you read in the press with a pinch of humour and a peck of disbelief. I used to believe everything I read in books and in the newspapers but now I realise that what we read is often not entirely true and can unintentionally misrepresent incidents and  events. We are all human, we behave and experience the world as individuals and sometimes what we write is interpreted differently to what we mean.

I couldn’t start my morning without a cuppa and a paper to read. I enjoy learning about happenings within our community and the wider world mixed together with some great humorous cartoons and letters from our neighbours. In other words love it or hate it I still read it!

• Council related issues
• Comments(0)

sue August 31st, 2008

This is a response to a rate payer enquiry and I thought the content is worth sharing.

Review of Rating Structures

Under the transitional provisions legislation Council has until 30 June 2012 to implement a single rating structure for the newly formed Fraser Coast Regional Council. During this period Council is able to continue to make and levy rates in the same way as the predecessor merged Council’s ie Hervey Bay, Maryborough, Woocoo and Tiaro.

In early May Council considered those sections of the four existing rating policies that would be tandardised for the 2008/09 year across the Fraser Coast with the remaining sections to be standardised during 009/10.

Due to the limited time available post amalgamation to undertake a comprehensive review of existing general rate structures and to develop a standard structure across the Fraser Coast this was deferred to the 2009/10 year.

For 2008/09 the following charges and sections were standardised -

1. Environmental Levy

2. Waste Management Levy

3. Cleansing Charges

4. Rural Fire Levy

5. Rebates and Concessions

6. Discount on Rates

7. Issue Rate Notice Issues

8. Water Billing Cycles

The following items are to be considered for standardisation for the 2009/10

rating year -

1. General Rates;

2. Water Charges and Consumptions; and

3. Sewerage Charges.

In this respect all existing general rate categories have remained the same as per the predecessor Council’s general rate structure for the 2008/09. In addition although land valuations have been undertaken across the Fraser Coast, all properties will remain in the same category they were in last year irrespective of any change in valuation.

Council will be commencing a review of the general rate structures in the near future with a view to implementing a single rate structure for 2009/10. As you have noted in your correspondence there are large variances in the existing structures and this process will be a massive exercise with over 48 land categories, minimum generals ranging from $516 to $2,610 and c/$ ranging from 0.40317 to $1.09.

Council determines through its budget deliberations how much it costs to provide services and nfrastructure to the community and the amount required to be raised in rates. To fund the 2008/09 budget a 7.00% increase in General Rates was required.

Council determines through its budget deliberations how much it costs to provide services and infrastructure to the community and the amount required to be raised in rates. To fund the 2008/09 budget a 7.00% increase in General Rates was required. The 7.00% increase published in the media related to General

Rates and does not take into consideration fluctuations in land valuations or increases associated with user charges. The Mayor’s Speech highlighted this “The budget delivers a modest general rate rise of 7% which is comparable to other Local Authorities ranging from 6.90% up to 11%.”

As provided in attachment a the estimated rates assessment comparison for this property as a result of the new Fraser Coast Regional Council’s rating policy shows a net increase in rates 10.81% (excluding water consumption charges) if paid within the discount period. The attachment also provides a comparison of the increase in net rates for this property since 2004/05 to 2008/09 a total 11.23% (an average increase of 2.81% per annum).

The Department of Natural Resources and Water issued new valuations to take effect on 1 July 2008, overall average land valuations across the region increased by 55% in Woocoo, 9% in Hervey Bay, 52% in Maryborough and 68% in Tiaro.

All Fraser Coast properties are now valued on comparative market area principals that will facilitate a single General rate structure for 2009/10. When valuations occur there is often confusion or the misconception in the community that if land valuations increase by 50% their rates will also increase by 50% resulting in Council receiving an additional 50% in rates revenue. This is incorrect as the c/$ applied to the new land valuation will decrease. For instance in relation to your property the land valuation has increased from 59,000 to 89,000 a 30% increase however your Gross General Rates has increased by 4.40% (not proportional to the land valuation increase).

Unfortunately Council is bound by the Local Government Act to use the land valuations provided by the Department of Natural Resources and Water as the mechanism for calculating and distribution of its General Rates across all ratepayers. The Council sets the c/$ or minimum general rates and uses the land valuations as the multiplier.

Council recognises the financial challenges that rising fuel prices and interest rates are having on the household budget. To minimise the impact on pensioners, Council is providing more than $1.4 million in concessions to the region’s 9,800 pensioners with all pensioners eligible for a $150 concession.

This equates to a 6% increase in pensioner concessions. This concession is in addition to the State Government Pension Concession, for which pensioners can also apply. While the introduction of a flat rate pensioner concession across the region will result in individual increases and decreases for pensioners Council has adopted the State Government approach to pensioner concessions. Pensioners living in and owning their own home and property, who are holders of a Queensland “Pensioner Concession Card” issued by Centrelink or the Department of Veteran’s Affairs, or a Queensland “Repatriation Health Card”,Council allows, on payment, a Pensioners’ Remission of $150.00 (Married or Single).

The State Government Pensioner Subsidy Scheme allows, on payment, a 20% Remission on Rates and Charges and the Urban Fire Levy. (Maximum allowable $180.00 Rates and Charges - $29.36 Urban Fire Levy per annum).

Payment Options

Councils recommends that ratepayers on fixed incomes consider prepayment utilising either the Direct Debit facility available to Maryborough residents or by the ratepayer making regular payments in person, by phone or internet as detailed on the reverse of the 2008/09 Annual Rates Notice.

In developing the budget Council was cognisant of the current economic climate with rising fuel prices and interest rate hikes and the impact on the community. Council was also faced with the challenge brought about by the amalgamation and reform process of developing an equitable basis for distribution of the rates burden whilst moving forward positively to develop a single rating structure for the Fraser Coast.

Council developed the budget within significant financial constraints with spiralling construction and material costs and the additional costs associated with amalgamation.

If you wish to discuss any of the responses in this correspondence please do not hesitate to contact Council’s Rates Department on 1800 881 400. More information is also available on Council’s website

www.frasercoast.qld.gov.au

We trust that this information is of assistance to you.

Yours faithfully,

Lisa Desmond

Director Organisational Services

• Council related issues
• Comments(0)

sue August 21st, 2008

MEDIA RELEASE

For Immediate Release

20/ 08/ 2008

SUBJECT: Briefs - Fraser Coast Regional Council meeting

                 20 August 2008

Ergon Energy Tidy Town Awards

Cr Les MucKan presented Tidy Town Awards to the Council that he received on behalf of the Council at the awards presentation in Bundaberg last month.

Maryborough and Hervey Bay each won two awards - both won the Outstanding Commitment Award, Hervey Bay won the Litter Prevention Award and Maryborough won the Heritage Award.

 Gift from Japanese visitors

Mayor Mick Kruger presented a Battledore to the Council that was given to the region by students and teachers visiting Maryborough’s Sunbury State School from Kasukabe - the Japanese city with which Maryborough enjoys a formal relationship. Students from Maryborough’s Aldridge State High School will visit their counterparts in Kasukabe in September.

 Launch of regional branding

The Fraser Coast Regional Council will launch the new regional branding and the Council’s corporate logo at a function at Peppers Resort on 18 September.

 Queensland Heritage Eisteddfod coming to Maryborough in 2011

The Council agreed to accept an invitation for Maryborough to host the Queensland Heritage Eisteddfod at Easter 2011. Funding options will be explored.

 Bauple Men’s Shed

The Regional Council will contribute $5100 towards the Bauple Men’s Shed - a project aimed at developing a recreational, therapeutic and educational facility for men, particularly former servicemen, in the Bauple community. The project is supported by the national organisation Mensheds Australia Ltd. The Council will waive fees associated with the project and will also fund a “What’s On” for Bauple.

 QCCG membership

The Council agreed to become a member of the Queensland Coastal Councils’ Group. The purpose of the QCCG is to provide leadership, direction and a co-ordinated approach to coastal management at the local level among member Councils. Councillors Sue Brooks and Debbie Hawes will represent the Regional Council on the QCCG.

 Lease agreements for sporting groups

The Council agreed to draw up an agreement with the Hervey Bay Softball Association to lease Council-owned ground at Hervey Bay’s Raward Road Recreation Reserve. The Council also agreed to draw up an agreement with Football Hervey Bay Inc to lease ground at the Hervey Bay Sport and Leisure Park  on the corner of Boundary Road and Tavistock Street.

 Bauple - Community of the Year nominee

The Council agreed to nominate the Bauple Community for the Community of the Year Award in the Regional Achievement and Community Awards which are administered by Awards Australia. The awards encourage, acknowledge and reward valuable contributions and outstanding achievements in regional and rural areas. Bauple has an excellent community spirit and has implemented many community projects including the Q150 Clubhouse and Men’s Shed, the Bauple Bash, country markets, scout group, playgroup, music nights and youth programs. Cr Linda Harris was nominated as a referee.

 New advisory team for community

The Council endorsed the formation of and accepted terms of reference for the Fraser Coast Inclusive Communities Advisory Team. The new group replaces pre-amalgamation groups including Maryborough’s Disability Access Advisory Committee and Hervey Bay’s Access and Equity Team.

 Constitutional recognition of Local Government

The Council will advise the Local Government Association of Queensland that it supports the forms of institutional and financial constitutional recognition of Local Government to be incorporated into the Australian Constitution.

 Studies of Regional Council’s water resources gets the go-ahead

The Council decided that Pricewaterhouse Coopers’ proposal to undertake a structural review of the Council’s water businesses will be accepted.  Yarra Valley Water will undertake a Business Review of the Council’s water businesses. The Council’s CEO Andrew Brien will co-ordinate the projects with the help of technical officers from Wide Bay Water and Fraser Coast Water.

 Ends

• Council related issues
• Comments(0)

sue August 15th, 2008

It is one of those painful times when it appears trees are again in the way of development. This time the trees are some very lovely large old gums on the foreshore adjacent the Gatakers Boat Ramp. While I understand that many, many people enjoy boating and require access to the water, it is a shame that we couldn’t find a suitable location for access and car parking in between the trees. Alas this was not to be as the boat ramp is under the direction and approval of the State Government and Council is responsible for providing appropriate car parking, also under direction from the State Government. I’m advised that the trees have to be removed due to drainage works as well as access issues.

The timing of tree removal is also poor in that it is nesting season. Council has ensured that a wildlife catcher will be in attendence next week when the trees are scheduled to be removed and the catcher has already been on site. He has assessed the need for possum traps prior to tree removal as it is likely that a possum or two could be in residence. I will also discuss the opportunity for Council to install some nesting boxes in the immediate area as neighbouring residents believe this would assist the local bird life.

A large portion of the car park surface will be porous as per Councils request and I believe this grassed carpark is preferable to a concrete or bitumen one. 

I have inserted the media release below which should also appear on the Council web site. I will endeavour to see if I can provide a link to a plan of the boatramp/carparking next week.

Cheers, Sue

For Immediate Release

15/ 08/ 2008

     Subject: Works starts on Gatakers Landing car park

Work will start on a 45-car and boat trailer facility at Gatakers Bay on Monday (August 18).

The plans, approved by the EPA, includes 45 car and boat trailer parks as well as eight car parks, a rigging and de-rigging area, two fish cleaning stations and lighting.

The car park will be built in two sections on the eastern and western sides of the Esplanade at Gatakers Bay. A bitumen rigging and de-rigging area and up to 10 car and trailer parks will be built on the eastern section near the ramp.

The remainder of the car and trailer parks will be built on the western side of the Esplanade. In a bid to soften the visual impact of the carpark (Council did not want wall to wall bitumen on the foreshore) the western portion will be predominantly made using grass pavers.

The specially designed pavers allow the grass to grow but support vehicles to stop the car park turning into an expanse of sand-filled potholes.

“This project has been a long time coming,” Fraser Coast Regional Council Rural and Urban Infrastructure Portfolio Chairman Councillor David Dalgleish said.

“It will be a great benefit to the Bay’s fishing community.”

The project is part of a joint venture involving Fraser Coast Regional Council, which is responsible for the land-based facilities, Queensland Transport, which is responsible for building the boat ramp and recreational lobby group Sunfish.

Hervey Bay City Council has budgeted $400,000 for the project, Sunfish gained a $100,000 Federal Government grant to put towards facilities such as two fish cleaning stations and turtle-friendly lighting and QT will spend about $250,000 building the ramp.

While the Council has EPA approval to build the car park and land-based facilities it is waiting for Queensland Transport to gain EPA approval to build a new two-lane boat ramp to replace the aging single lane ramp near the Gatakers Landing Restaurant.

To undertake the project some gum trees will have to be removed.

The Council is doing its best to save a mature gum tree on the beachside of the project.

The tree removal saddened FCRC Environmental Sustainability Portfolio Chairman Councillor Sue Brooks.

“It is a shame that these mature trees could not be incorporated into the design but Council will plant replacement trees in an effort to compensate the losses,” she said.

ENDS

For media enquiries contact Fraser Coast Regional Council Rural and Urban Infrastructure Portfolio Chairman Councillor David Dalgleish on 0417 777 194 or FCRC Director of External Services Ron Smith on 4197 4444.

ENDS

• Council related issues
• Comments(2)

sue August 10th, 2008

Last week Councillors worked together with Council staff, to try and address the impact of an annual rate notice to Maryborough ratepayers. I hope that the changes outlined below do make it easier for these ratepayers. I think it is an excellent compromise in what is a very difficult transition period for all of us.

FCRC Media Release

SUBJECT: Rates respite for Maryborough residents

The Fraser Coast Regional Council has offered Maryborough ratepayers some breathing space with rates payments during this transitional year of amalgamating rating systems.

 The 2008/09 Regional Council Budget, which was adopted on 16 July 2008, said all rates notices would be issued annually in line with the practices of three of the four former Councils (Hervey Bay, Tiaro and Woocoo). All ratepayers would have the option to pay upfront and receive a 10% discount if the entire amount was received within 45 day of the rates notice being issued.

 While that meant no change for ratepayers in Hervey Bay, Woocoo and Tiaro, it was a change for Maryborough ratepayers in that under the previous system they were able to pay their rates in two instalments and still receive the discount.

 Maryborough ratepayers paid the last instalment of their 2007/08 rates in February this year.

 The Council has since decided that paying the total amount up front could prove difficult for some Maryborough ratepayers who feel they were not given enough time to budget for the single payment.

 In order to ease Maryborough residents into the new system, they have been given the option to pay in three instalments for this rates year only. Maryborough ratepayers can pay the first half (50%) of their total rates payment before the 45 day period ends and receive a 10% discount on that amount. They will then have to pay the remaining half in two further (2 x 25%) equal payments. No discount will apply to the second and third payments. 

 All residents from Woocoo, Tiaro and Hervey Bay can choose to pay their rates in four equal instalments over the 12-month period but in doing so will not qualify for discount on any of the four instalments.

 Corporate Governance Committee Chair Cr Belinda McNeven said the Council decided to allow this transitional arrangement because it recognised that Maryborough residents had already made a rates payment this calendar year. Ends

• Council related issues
• Comments(2)