Council Calls for Annual Land Valuations

Scenic Rim Regional Council has called on the Queensland Government to introduce annual land valuations in the Scenic Rim in the wake of community concern caused by 2018's valuations which were the first in three years.

Mayor Greg Christensen said that annual valuations would better reflect current economic conditions and better manage any instances of economic downturn within the region.

"The current system of three-year valuations is broken," he said.

"With some valuations increasing by upwards of 80 per cent on Tamborine Mountain, and many examples of inconsistent valuations occurring, the system of valuing land is clearly in need of review.

"This year's valuations caused a considerable increase in worried and anxious residents who directly correlated a monumental increase in valuations with a monumental increase in rates payable.

"This was unfair and created an overwhelming sense of helplessness for these residents, many of whom are self-funded retirees or pensioners on fixed incomes."

Cr Christensen said that Scenic Rim, like many other councils across Queensland, contributed annually to the Department of Natural Resources for valuation services that were received only once every three years.

He said he was aware that hundreds of Scenic Rim residents had objected to the 2018 valuations released in March, creating more work for the department, the possibility of further appeals and potential revenue impacts for Council if valuations were amended.

"My recommendation is that the valuers adopt a more cautious and careful approach and recognise the impact that their valuations have on people and communities as well councils and the mayors and councillors who represent their residents," he said.