Budget 2010 - 2011 - Bay Islands

25th June 2010

Rates on the Southern Moreton Bay Islands
One of the biggest changes to our rating model is the way in which we will now manage rate revenue from the Southern Moreton Bay Islands (also referred to as SMBI).

No longer will there be an infrastructure charge for the islands or a SMBI reserve. Residential owner-occupied properties on the Southern Moreton Bay Islands will no longer be subsidising vacant land or non-owner occupier investment properties.

Under our new model, every single cent paid in rates by SMBI ratepayers will be reported separately, and then used on island infrastructure projects, as well as ongoing programs and services, such as libraries, parks maintenance etc.

This means islanders will be able to see exactly how much money is raised through island rates and where every dollar is spent – which is what islanders have been asking for.

We have also introduced a new rating category for the islands – that of ‘vacant developable land’. Of the 12,000 island properties, 8,000 of them are still vacant lots, with only 4,000 inhabited. The rate in the dollar for vacant land will be higher in this category, so that those living on the islands are not subsidising owners of these vacant lots.

We have reduced the minimum general rate for residential properties.

• 54.9% of properties will now pay less than in 2009-10, and
• a further 13.4% will have less than a $200 increase.

Over the next 12 months, we will invest more than $3.2 million in capital programs across the four islands.

Due to the significant issues of valuation and major rate reform on the Southern Moreton Bay Islands, we have applied a capping formula to minimise impacts on island ratepayers.

Key projects for the Southern Moreton Bay Islands in 2010-11 include:

• $1.1 million to seal gravel roads
• $707,000 for other road projects, including:
• $278,000 for stage three of Melaleuca Drive on Lamb Island
• $195,000 to construct the causeway for Noyes Parade on Karragarra Island
• $425,000 for the first stage of the Pat’s Park upgrade on Macleay island
• $300,000 for land acquisition for open space
• $225,000 for paths and trails along Canaipa Road, on Russell Island
• $130,000 for the Attunga Street recreational bridge on Macleay Island.