Cairns Regional Council have dispatched rates notices to more than 79,000 properties across the region this week.

But the burning question remains: Will there be a decrease in rates due to the recent drop in property values?

RECEIVED YOUR RATES NOTICE? TAKE PART IN OUR POLL (left)

There appears to be conflicting statements from Council with Mayor Val Schier telling The Newsport in March ('Mayor talks Port's hot topics', Wednesday 2 March 2011) that a drop in house values won't mean a drop in rates, while Division 10 councilor, Julia Leu, advised that residents should see a reduction.

"People have to ask themselves…how we're actually going to build the infrastructure that they want if they think we need to reduce rates," Cr Schier said.

"There's increasing demands on government and people saying that Local Government should be stimulating industry…we can't do that by lowering rates."

Council’s 2011 budget, released last month, showed that Cairns Regional Council had a much lower percentage of rate rise compared to the rest of the State at 3.4%.

Mayor Schier then stated: “We were determined to keep any rates increase as low as possible and, while new valuations mean a great deal of variation in rates, a large number of ratepayers will indeed have a reduction in their general rate.”

Cr Leu said residents should expect to see a lower rates bill given recent property price drops as determined by the State Government’s land value notices sent out to locals earlier this year.

“If your State Government land values notice shows your UCV (Unimproved Capital Value) has dropped, then rates should go down," she said.

"The most recent values have widely fluctuated across the Douglas region, some have gone up while others have gone down, depending on your rates category.

"In this year’s budget, Council worked hard to minimise any rates rises, trying to maintain services in the region at their current level.”

RECEIVED YOUR RATES NOTICE? TAKE PART IN OUR POLL (left) 

Acting Council CEO Bruce Gardiner said ratepayers who had not received their half yearly rates notice by the end of next week should contact Council as soon as possible to obtain a copy.

He added that anyone having difficulty paying their rates could contact Council to discuss a payment plan.

“Council is well aware that it has been a particularly difficult year and we are willing to speak with ratepayers about their situations and capabilities,” Mr Gardiner said.

Rates payments are due by August 29 and overdue rates attract interest charged at 11 per cent per annum, compounded daily.

RECEIVED YOUR RATES NOTICE? TAKE PART IN OUR POLL (left)