Boonah and Beaudesert property owners to help fund rural fire cover under new Scenic Rim charges

Property owners in the Boonah and Beaudesert catchments will help fund rural fire prevention and firefighting after Scenic Rim Regional Council adopted special charges for both areas at a special meeting on 1 July.

The council approved overall plans and special charges for the Boonah Rural Fire Group and the Beaudesert Rural Fire Group for 2026-27. Those charges sit alongside the council's Revenue Statement, differential general rates, waste utility charges, separate rates and charges, and updated policies on concessions, hardship, discounts and debt.

Council also fixed a $688.00 Transport Infrastructure Charge and a $53.00 Environmental Charge for 2026-27. It adopted waste management utility charges for the year and designated all premises in the Scenic Rim as areas where general waste collection may be provided. The motion to designate those collection areas passed 4/3.

Councillors approved the 2026-27 Differential Rating Categories and differential general rates, using a single rate in the dollar for each rating category and set minimum rates. The motion to levy the differential general rates passed 5/2.

For eligible groups, council resolved that not-for-profit organisations, community service providers and sporting organisations on council-owned or controlled land may receive full rebates of the general rate, separate charge and waste disposal utility charge on application. It also adopted updated hardship and rates-based financial assistance policies, replacing versions adopted on 9 July 2025.

The new settings take effect from 1 July 2026, when council will publish the budget-related documents and apply the charges in billing. Overdue rates and charges will attract 12.19% annual interest, while eligible ratepayers can receive a 5% discount for timely payment if all charges are paid on time.