MBCIA June-October 2013 Newsletter

7/27/2019 MBCIA June-October 2013 Newsletter

1/10


2/10

This year has had two significant events surrounding the implementation of Translink to the

islands. The first being the promises from Mr Dowling that this deal was to be a shared for

every $1 SMBI put in the Govt would bring $2 to the table for Translink to start on the

islands. This was later denied and a levy was to be imposed only on the SMBI ratepayers

allowing the mainland to use SMBI ratepayers to fund all of Redlands Translink programs.

Thanks to the fighting spirit of the ratepayers, a 1500 petition and the decision of council, viaMark Edwards and Karen Williams, the excessive and unjust SMBI only Translink levy was

circumvented by attaching this levy to the environment levy of only the SMBI and is a

masterful stroke, we still paid for it but via a name change in levy, already applied to the

islands.

So. the Go Card we have to again purchase on top of the renamed levy gives us free inter

island travel and the benefits outlined in the Go Card . Conversations with senior officers

reveal that this will now include the other RCC islands and also make the eastern bus way

part of the deal (I wonder if those islands will piggy back on our levy????).

And secondly, this also gave the RCC a board membership to the Translink board but to this

date no amount of requesting details about this appointment to the RCC, will reveal who this

is ????

http://www.rideschedules.com/schedule.html?schedule=66377will give you fares and

details to the translink details for smbi

Moonlight over the islands
http://www.rideschedules.com/schedule.html?schedule=66377http://www.rideschedules.com/schedule.html?schedule=66377http://www.rideschedules.com/schedule.html?schedule=66377


3/10

Over the last 12mths, we have had a submission in at council regarding the unjust and unfair

SMBI ratings categories. This submission was sent to all new councillors and to date has

never had any feedback from council other than, we acknowledge receipt of your

submission.

After the new budget was brought down, the gigantic leaps in rates applied to some ratings

categories appeared to have been capped in one way but were undone by dropping therateable minimum down to such a low valuation that most of the vacant land owners were

picking up the tab yet again.

With some of the lowest ever recorded land prices in history on Russell, one report of 2

drainage overlay blocks selling for $385 and $585 and many at $10k to $14k are dramatically

affecting rates applications, with the minimum of up to $33k with the RCC attempts at

lowering the minimum threshold to include so many more within these SMBI ratings

categories and maximizing rates. The consequence being that rates for every other category

has gone through the roof. People on the smaller islands have seen their rates turn from the

rateable minimum jump from min base rate of $816 pa before add-ons at $120k over and

under, now shoot to $3980, per annum because of this insane $33k base line and because

some islands have had no sales since the council induced property collapse and remain

within too few new sales for valuation assessments. Karragarra have experienced massive

rates rises.

Council has seen another 800 properties handed to them because of the lack of people being

able to fund these rates or sell their land. Council now owns half the rateable blocks and as

such will continue to rates gouge the remainder of the islands to make up the short fall of

rates collected. To put this in perspective for those unable to understand the current rates

crisis, this is what SMBI 12b ratepayers are faced with compared to RCC mainland, Nth

Straddie and Coochie Mudlo

SMBI 12a to b ratepayers are paying higher rates than;

*3.4 times the commercial and industrial ratepayers; Category 6

*1.7 times the rates of quarries; Category 8

*1.4 times places of businesses with one or more locations; Category 17

*1.8 times more than self-contained business located in more than one building

(Factories) Category 18


4/10

AND MORE RATES THAN MAINLAND RATEPAYERS WHOSE BASE VALUATION IS

$640,000.thats those on millionaires row and highest end property

valuations.

Thanks to member Hilary for her investigations and presentation of facts

This ratepayer distress inflicted by the RCC has not been addressed, even after submissions

by us, and letters from affected ratepayers. The mantra remains they are acting within their

charter and the Ombudsmans office appears to back them up, though this will be taken to

task again.

I recently attended a meeting with the CEO and a finance officer who appeared not to have

all the details on how these rates applications relate to actual costs inflicted on rate payers,

but were dismissive anyway and ref us back to Councillor Edwards

Discussions with a Cleveland Solicitor seem others have tried to bring justice in regards rates

gouging with prohibitive costs and vague rulings. Though this has not been ruled out totally

as big firms may do a no win, no pay and with all the rates unfairly gouged from the islands

this is still a viable option.

One of the only avenues open to us is the media and this must be done in a way that doesnt

cause a back fire as seen in previous media interactions and some things need to be sorted,but is moving along. The other option, that is not as far out there or as extreme as first

thought is that of secession (forming our own council).


5/10

The eastern half of Logan residents are in the process of this at present. Our population of

5600 is higher than a lot of QLD councils and with the bloated top heavy $77milion pa staffing

bill that ratepayers of RCC have to come up with each year for the gravy trough, that is the

RCC council, this is looking more feasible every day. And easily affordable to what we have

now

* If we had the chance to self-determination and it could becompletely viable with our own small council would you vote Yes to

form our own council????

The next page is the rates set out by all other councils, for 2013, who

have islands in their councils and none of them apply the rates

gouging and financial bullying of rates allocations like that of RCC toits SMBI. Also note the new base line for $305k minimum (VGP) rates

is shown for the RCC mainland is also excessive compared to other

councils minimum rating valuations. Designed to further discount the

upper end of valuations of RCC.


6/10


7/10

The next bit of information regards State Govt and the imposing of what is known as Rural

fire levy. For many years we, on the islands paid our Rural fire levy on all rateable lands, thus

so having brand new top shelf, fighting gear, sheds and trucks. As well as that, money in the

bank and never a problem regarding our SMBI Rural fire brigades being cashed up, trained up

and ready .then along came the state who has now placed another state wide rural firebrigade levy of another $90 per annum on top of what we already pay!!! Another cash grab

for only the SMBI. If our guys were paid fire-fighters the state should be taking $64 per

annum, but as they are volunteers the state has deemed SMBI pay more!!!! The Gold Coast

council has sent the state a message about price gouging; I hope our council does as well.


8/10

And there is another looming state/SMBI confrontation regarding Wienam Creek transport

hub and the state wanting to partner up with developers pushing facilities away and charging

the SMBI ratepayers for the privilege!

This needs to be watched very closely as those that asked whether this plan will cost SMBI

and the huge cost of building a new harbour off the mangrove tidal Pannikin Island was going

to be part of selling /developing of Weinam Creek and any loss of facilities there!!! This was

meet with avoidance and comments like Yes its going to cost SMBI, its for your benefit

No, Mr Dowling, we already have these facilities, so any developer deals between State and

partners will not be borne by the usual SMBI ratepayer scape goat! When something sounds

too good to be true, you had better start taking notice of the fine print and whose paying!!!!


9/10

The following is a simple survey to get feedback for next year;

If it was possible, and all costs were covered and logistics worked out would

you be in favour of the SMBI having its own council/administration and secede

from RCC?

.. .............................

..........................................................................................................................

Do you think it is fair for the state to take away Marine facilities for private

enterprise and then charge SMBI ratepayers to establish new ones?

...............

Should we pursue just and fair ratings for SMBI ratepayers through media e.g.

Four Corners and investigative (not sensationalised channel 7 or Govt controlled

media) as most residents appear unaware of the huge rates rorts happening to

over 60% of SMBI ratepayers, mindful of previous media?

Over 30 of our members expressed interest in a class action against the RCC and

return of those rates overcharged ,this will continue to be explored, are youinterested (non-committal, just collecting numbers at present)?

Finally, some of our members have endured huge financial hardship because of

these SMBI rating categories; please let us know if we can share your story

(names and addresses will be withheld)? We use these stories in our

submissions..


10/10

AGM for the MBCIA will be held at the Russell Island community hall on

Saturday, 9th

November at 11am (last year was the mainland, next year Macleay

Island). Without all of us working towards getting our beautiful islands back to

just and equal rates and our properties, the value we once enjoyed, our

businesses once again flourishing and our pride restored we will continue to slip

further into ghetto status. Our prime objective is to see our islands in our

rightful place as Paradise in Moreton Bay with..Justice and progress for all

Documents

MBCIA June-October 2013 Newsletter