Backlash as council compares rate rise to bread and cheese

Bundaberg Mayor Helen Blackburn faced immediate backlash after comparing the city's upcoming rate rise to the weekly cost of a loaf of bread or a block of cheese. The comparison, intended to contextualize the increase, instead ignited public anger, leading to AI-generated images of grocery items piled outside council offices and a parody song.

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Even with what we did last year and what we're doing this year, we're still looking at a good 10 years before we get absolutely rock solid again.

The minimum rate rise of 8.38 percent was approved by the council with a narrow 6-5 vote. The budget meeting was subsequently adjourned for a week after the initial motion was put to a vote. Councils across Queensland are currently grappling with their own escalating costs while simultaneously facing the financial strain on ratepayers due to the cost-of-living crisis.

Mayor Blackburn defended the rate increases, stating that two years of zero percent rises in 2020 and 2021 had placed the council on a "backwards trajectory" that would take approximately 10 years to rectify. She cited the rapid population growth in the region as a significant factor, necessitating infrastructure upgrades that should have been completed a decade prior. This growth, combined with a fuel crisis and the aftermath of a major flood in March, has created competing demands on the council's budget.

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The fast growth of humans into our region means infrastructure needs to be upgraded and it should have been upgraded 10 years ago before the people came, so now we're sort of behind the eight ball.

Bronwen Kippen, executive director of research and policy at the Queensland Council of Social Services, noted a surge in demand for food relief and fuel vouchers. She highlighted the severe stress families are experiencing in meeting basic needs due to high living costs. Many are delaying having children, restructuring their households, or moving in with family or housemates to cope with the financial pressure, limiting their choices.

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The cost of living is so high.

Meanwhile, Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour commented that an increase in ratepayers does not necessarily alleviate the financial burden on councils. He explained that the costs for materials and works required for infrastructure to support a growing community have "skyrocketed." The Fraser Coast is the fifth-fastest-growing local government area in Queensland, underscoring the challenge of keeping pace with development.

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That is really pushing families into a lot of stress in terms of meeting their basic needs.