Council ‘s 2024-25 Schedule of Fees and Charges

A copy of the fees and charges can be found here: Fees and Charges Report (southburnett.qld.gov.au)

There is always considerable commentary on any price changes, so it is recommended that the source documents be checked as a point of truth.  Due to the diverse and varied number of fees, no one single resident would be charged the full dollar value of every fee change. Nor is it correct to simply throw a headline number out, saying this is an average increase. Each fee is different, some are commercial charges, for example the dam tourist facilities, which are required to be run on a commercial basis and others are regulatory fees that are required by legislation.  Some fees will only affect a very small number of people, where some affect many people, for example dog registrations. The following will give a brief overview of this year’s fees and charges and some of the major changes.

• New fees – 41
• Discontinued fees – 18
• Category Restructured (Halls) – 110 discontinued and reconfigured to 48 new
• Halls accounted for 86% of discontinued fees and 54% of new fees
• Price reduced – 9

Fees have generally increased by 3%, with some fees that required a more detailed review and were justified as to why the increase was more than 3%.  In a lot of cases even though the percentage was large the dollar amount was small.

Did you know that the South Burnett Regional Council offers financial assistance for Not-for-Profit Organisations?

Eligible Not-for-Profit (NFP) organisations may be able to access relief either in full or part waiver of listed fees relating to venues, licences & approvals, plumbing applications, waste disposal and development assessment for example.

Animal Control

Dog registration has been brought back into line with the financial year and there has been no increase in fees, representing a 0% rise across all categories.

EV Charging

Council has raised the cost of the Alford Street charging station, from $0.30 cents to $0.35 cents per Kw Hour. This is one of several charging stations across the whole region. The South Burnett Regional Council area is part of the Queensland State Government Electric Superhighway (QESH). Whilst these fees are not set by Council, for reference and comparison as of 1 March 2024, the cost to charge your vehicle at any QESH site is $0.30c/kWh for 22kW AC charging; and $0.55c/kWh for the 50/75kW DC Fast Charging stations. The actual amount will vary depending on the amount of charge required for your vehicle.

Swimming Pools

The swimming pool fees had remained unchanged for the past three (3) years. This year’s changes for the swimming pools (not including individual and season passes) are as follows:

• Adult increased $1.00
• Children <12 increased $0.30
• Senior/Concession Card Holders increased $0.80
• Hydrotherapy Pool increased $1.00
• School Swimming Carnival increased $60.00
• Private Hire increased $13.00
• Lane Hire increased $5.00

Caravan Parks, classed as commercial enterprises, have had the following changes:

Proston

• A significant change that affects a small number of people is the key deposit for the Proston Caravan Park that went up $37 or 160.87%. This change was to recover costs. If key is returned than no cost incurred however if they are not, then key and locks have to be replaced. The previous cost of $23 deposit did not cover the increased costs to replace. This deposit is 100% refundable when key is returned.

• The next highest increased for caravan parks was 4.76% ($0.50) for additional person >2 days.
• Three (3) fees were reduced.

Bjelke-Petersen Dam

• The highest increase was 33.33% for an additional adult during peak times (was an increase of $5).
• The highest fee increase was $25 for postage to return lost items to owners.

Boondooma Dam

• The highest increase was 33.33% for an additional adult during peak times (was an increase of $5)

• The highest fee increase was $25 for postage to return lost items to owners.
• $6 a night increase in charges relates to ‘up to two (2) persons in peak times’ bringing it to a total of $50 (or $25 each per night). 
• Most are small increases ranging from $1 to $6. 
• When review charges, cost comparisons were made with other caravan parks in the region and broader. 

For further information or enquiries contact Council’s Executive Services team on 1300 789 279, 4189 9100 or email info@sbrc.qld.gov.au.