General News
2 September, 2025
Farmers to face off over rates
FARMERS angry over high increases in their rates will face off with Tablelands Regional Council chief executive officer Dr Nikola Stepanov at a forum in Kairi on Wednesday.
This is the second agricultural forum the CEO has organised and, given the recent criticism from peak industry group FNQ Growers about how TRC rate rises are crippling a “vulnerable” agricultural sector, it is likely Dr Stepanov will have a challenge explaining why the council’s rates are appropriate.
FNQ Growers has also asked Minister for Local Government Ann Leahy to urgently review the council’s rating model.
At last week’s council meeting, Dr Stepanov said the forum would be an opportunity to present council’s data which informed rates for all categories of ratepayers with specific reference to farming land.
Farmer Lawrence Masasso, who will be attending Wednesday’s forum at the Kairi Community Hall from 5pm, disputes the CEO’s response to criticism by farmers.
“The CEO’s argument about TRC having a lower percentage on general rates sounds fair. However, in practice a property in the TRC has a much higher valuation than in the Mareeba Shire,” he said.
“This leads to the perverse situation where a property in the TRC will have a rates bill five times higher than a similar sized property in the Mareeba Shire.
“Is TRC going to claim that they need five times the money to service properties than do Mareeba? If so, could they perhaps call the Mareeba Shire and seek advice as to how to reduce costs?”
Mr Masasso said those who lived in rural areas also did not benefit from the facilities and services available in the urban area, paid for by their high rates.
“Rural land holders and graziers don’t have kerbing and channelling, street lights, parks and gardens within walking distance, children’s playgrounds, and sports grounds all outside their boundary or within walking distance,” he said.
“We accept a lower level of service and so expect to be rated accordingly.”
