General News
7 June, 2026
Council limits fee rises
MOST Cassowary Coast Regional Council fees and charges for 2026-27 have been adjusted due to inflation in a bid to keep costs down.
A council statement said councillors were mindful of the current economic climate and aimed to ensure most fees and charges for 2026-27 were only adjusted due to inflation.
“Fees and charges ensure council can recover the costs of providing specific services, facilities and activities used by individuals rather than asking all ratepayers to wear these costs,” it said.
Mayor Teresa Millwood said the 2026-27 schedule reflected council’s aim to recover costs and reduce the impost on ratepayers through general rates.
“These decisions are never easy, however I believe we’ve struck the right balance in terms of fairness, cost recovery, and sustainability,” she said.
“We have reduced or retained fees and charges wherever we could and most increases are in line with indexation.
“Our approach for 2026-27 means we can continue to offer quality services without overly burdening ratepayers or compromising long-term sustainability.”
The 2026-27 register was developed in line with the annual budget process and involved extensive internal preparations, consultation and workshops.
Key changes for 2026-27 include:
To make it easier and more convenient for residents to clean up their properties, especially ahead of wet seasons, two free waste vouchers will be provided to residential ratepayers per year. The vouchers will replace the domestic clean-up weekends previously offered. More information about the waste vouchers will shortly be communicated to the public.
AdvertisementProperty search fees that include water meter readings, have been reduced to reflect efficiencies gained through smart water meter readings.
There are modest increases to charges for small, medium and large domestic waste loads in line with indexation.
Animal release fees for the second, third and subsequent releases of impounded dogs and cats have been increased. Some animals are being impounded multiple times and this imposes increased costs for council in terms of staffing and facilities. They have gone from $115.50 to $122 (first release), $139 to $249 (second release) and $283 to $360 (third release).
A new fee for non-residents of the Cassowary Coast who buy a grave plot or internment in a Cassowary Coast cemetery has been set at $3000.
“This recognises the need to ensure the Cassowary Coast has the capacity in its cemeteries for residents into the future,” a council statement said.
A standard plot for a resident has risen from $1555 to $1635.
Illegal parking fees have risen from $123.50 to $130.
For more visit www.bit.ly/4dHe7Xe. Updated forms will be available on council’s website from 1 July 2026.
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