Call to ease burden on ratepayers

Land valuations should be issued every year to ease the “burden” on ratepayers, according to Moreton Bay City Council.

Councillors have unanimously backed a motion calling for “mandatory annual land valuations for urban councils” – rather than every two to three years.

The motion will be sent for consideration ahead of the Local Government Association Queensland (LGAQ) Annual Conference in October.

“We pay for land valuations every year, but don’t receive land valuations for our community every year,” Mayor Peter Flannery said.

“This is asking the State Government to provide valuations every year to stop those two-to-three years valuations where people get a big jump in their valuations.

“That flows on to be a significant impact in the rates. If we get regular valuations, it helps ease out that burden.”

Queensland’s Valuer-General Laura Dietrich has a “statutory obligation to value land annually” but can make “exceptions subject the statutory requirements”.

“A market survey report is compiled by the State Valuation Service for each rateable local government area, which I used when making my decision,” the Valuer-General said.

“My decision on whether to revalue a local government area is based on several factors including the property market surveys, when the area was last valued, and consultation with local governments and stakeholders.

“Where the market indicates minimal changes, it may be up to five years between statutory land valuations. Some areas may be revalued more frequently if there has been significant market movement.”

The Valuer-General shares the valuation roll and associated data with local governments across Queensland consistent with the provisions of the Land Valuation Act.