Residents struggle with rates
CALL centre workers at Cairns Regional Council have been bearing the brunt of ratepayer anger as rate assessment notices land in letterboxes.
And in what is turning into a two-front attack on the city's leaders, disgruntled householders have threatened to stop mowing in front of their fences in protest at higher water charges.
The half-yearly bills sent out on Monday have confirmed the controversial 15 per cent plus hike in rates and fees announced in the recent Budget, prompting a fresh backlash.
"The call centre has been inundated with calls," a council source told The Cairns Post yesterday.
"People are expressing their views - they're angry."
Cr Rob Pyne, who voted against the July 23 Budget, yesterday urged council customers to be cool.
"I definitely understand people being upset," he said.
"But I feel sorry for the people in the call centre, they did not make the decision.
"Councillors are paid to make decisions, they need to take the flak."
Angry ratepayer Don Cunningham, who owns one of 12 units in a Whitfield complex, said his rates and charges had jumped 20 per cent.
"My salary has not gone up by 20 per cent," he said.
"They have taken the greening allowance away and even though it was a lesser entitlement than a house, that will drive up my water costs.
"They have also taken away the discount to pay early so I will pay at the last possible moment.
"I am very disappointed with the mayor, it seems like a money grab to me."
Bentley Park mother-of-four Sandra Suttie said her rates and charges had soared to nearly $1000 for six months.
"I cannot believe rates and charges have gone up so much," she said.
"We are only on 700sq m, it is not like we are on acreage.
"How do you find $1000 out of your back pocket?"
While angry at Mayor Val Schier for breaking pre-election promises to keep rates low, Ms Suttie said she had no choice but to pay up.
Last night, Cr Schier said the increase in rates and charges was a difficult decision but "we had to be financially and environmentally responsible".
She urged residents struggling with the rates burden to consider applying to the Independent Rates Tribunal or consider payment options.
"We do have a range of options for people to relieve the burden and spread payments throughout the year," Cr Schier said.
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Lawn boycott: Pauline Clark of White Rock has vowed not to mow the council-owned strip in front of her fence, in protest against higher water charges.
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