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Rail Trail Fun Run Sunday 17th July 2005

Visit the Rail Trail Fun Run Website for more information or download the Rail Trail Fun Run Entry Form (939kb)

IPA Planning Scheme available for Public consultation $\\datanas\data\Corporate Services\Internet\EskWWW\parks_&_gardens.htm$

Attention All Sporting Clubs and Community Groups! - Organisational Improvement Program to assist clubs/groups overcome the many problems they face in today’s world. More Info

Changes at Twin Bridges

Twin Bridges, along with Savages Crossing and Lowood Bend, is a popular area used regularly by campers, day-trippers, locals and visitors.

To get more Information about the changes at Twin Bridges please click here $\\datanas\data\Corporate Services\Internet\EskWWW\parks_&_gardens.htm$

30 June 2005 valuations and rates

	The State Government will issue a new Shire valuation at the end of March 2005.
	This will only affect rates after 1 July 2005.
	By law, Council’s role in this valuation is limited to paying for it (around $50,000 annually)
	It is likely that some Shire valuations may increase substantially for 2005/2006.
	In previous years, Council has taken overall valuation changes within each of its rating categories into account in setting its general rates.
	As an example of Council’s approach, say there are 3 properties in a rating category and the State Government values them at $50,000 each. The annual rates might be 1% of the valuation. This means that Council collects $500 in general rates from each of the 3 property owners.
	The next year, if the Government revalued these properties to $100,000 each, Council could collect the same $1,500 by halving the rate per dollar of valuation (ie 0.5%).
	Esk has 7,540 rateable properties so the true picture in prior years has been more complicated.
	Property valuations in 2003 increased or decreased by a wide variety of percentages throughout the Shire. Many properties had no change in valuation.
	In 2003, people whose valuations went up by more than average generally had a greater than average rate increase. People whose valuations went up by less than average generally had a lower than average rate increase.
	For those properties where the valuations remained the same or decreased, some ratepayers actually paid less rates.
	Following the 2003 revaluation, homeowners in Mt Hallen (near Esk) and some farmers in Brightview (south of Lowood) had rate reductions. Property owners in Mt Stanley (in the far north of the Shire) and Glamorgan Vale (in the south of the Shire) whose valuations went up substantially had rate increases of between 6% and 9%.
	The Government recognises problems with its valuation system and allows councils to split up their rate bases into categories where properties have similar characteristics.
	Council believes it can have more control over rate changes in the face of volatile official valuations by having more rating categories.
	Council has increased the number of its rating categories since 2001 from 4 to 10.

The new valuations will be mailed directly to property owners by the Queensland Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy. This Department will also give copies of the valuation roll for Council to display at its offices and should provide an objection period.

Office of Urban Management website

Draft South East Queensland Regional Plan for consultation

Help shape the future of South East Queensland - tell us what you think about the Draft Regional Plan.

Council's Meeting Dates for 2005

Council's Annual Report for 2003/2004

Council's Financial Statements for 2003/2004

Budget Attachment to Ordinary Minutes of meeting of 28 July 2004

Changes at Twin Bridges

Council's Budget for 2004/2005

Schedule of Charges for 2005/2006 as at 1st July 2005