Bundaberg residents are expected to pay more than six percent more in their rates this financial year.
It comes after the Bundaberg Regional Council passed its annual budget at a special meeting yesterday at council chambers.
One contentious issue of the fiscal policy is the introduction of new rating categories.
Homeowners who don’t primarily live in the region – in addition to residential properties used for transitory accommodation like Airbnb – to be slugged even more in rates.
Mayor Helen Blackburn said the measures are necessary to bring the budget in to the black – following revelation last year the Council was facing a multi million dollar deficit.
“Not only have we made millions of dollars in operational efficiencies to get our budget back in the black this year, the work we’re doing has returned this Council, and by extension this community, to financial security over the next 10 years,” Ms Blackburn said.
“The organisation has been through a restructure, operational efficiencies have been found.”
However some councillors pushed back against the category changes.
“Since when have rates been decided by ownership?” Councillor Jason Bartels said in yesterday’s council meeting.
“Why should a residential property with the same services have to pay more because the owner doesn’t live in it?”
