POPULAR WORDS

The Queensland government is warning local councils not to hike up rates and blame higher charges on increases in land valuations. New land valuation notices have been sent out today to property owners in 94 of Queensland's local government areas. However Local Government Minister Desley Boyle says increased land valuations do not necessarily mean an increase in rates. "I want to make it clear that rates are primarily determined by councils according to what services they intend to provide and how much revenue they need to raise to pay for those services - not by property values," Boyle says. "Most councils charge different rates to different users, such as industrial, commercial, high-rise unit owners, residential developments or farming land. "If a council decides to increase its rates, there are many methods available to them to ease the burden of a sudden - and significant - increase. "Councils can, for example, bring in the increase over two to three years. Councils can use rate capping - which limits increases to a specified percentage of the previous year's rates. Councils can also provide concessions for people experiencing financial hardship in meeting their rates obligations." Boyle says decisions regarding the method of rating and the amount charged are at the discretion of councils. "Nevertheless, I have reminded councils it is not acceptable to see increases in land values as an opportunity to increase rates," she says. "Of course, some councils may have a good reason to charge higher rates, such as increases in costs, because they want to improve services or to cater for growth in the community - but the increase should not be blamed on increases in land values."