Hi all, question from Donna at MBRC...

I was wanting to know how other councils are responding - specifically:

• How are councils currently rating properties with secondary dwellings?
• Is there likely to be changes to rating as a result of the change in legislation?

Any information about how you are dealing with this gratefully accepted.

Chris Welch at Banana says:

Banana Shire Council rates these properties in the multi-dwelling category and will not be changing this as a result of the State’s changes.  On another point, I’m going to take this opportunity to raise a concern I have with the secondary dwelling changes from a town planning angle.

The amended definitions for secondary dwelling and dual occupancy in the Planning Regulation 2017 now create an interpretation opportunity for unscrupulous developers.  The changes mean that they can design a dual occupancy with one unit only slightly smaller than the other and it becomes a secondary dwelling.  This would bypass any planning scheme regulation of dual occupancies by Councils.  I also have serious doubts that this measure will have any measurable impact on the housing crisis.  In our circumstances, shortage of housing is driven by large non-resident workforces occupying houses as there is no short-term accommodation available.  A State-led provision to accelerate creation and occupation of worker camps would remove these workers from the private occupation market.

I’ve already raised this verbally with the State planning department and I will be contacting LGAQ as well, but I figure it can’t hurt to bring it up here as well.

Alisha Swain at City of Gold Coast:

The City of Gold Coast does not rate a property with secondary dwellings (for family accommodation) any differently to a single dwelling except for in the case where an approval for dual occupancy has been granted.

Where there is an approval for dual occupancy, the property is rated as a multi-unit residential building.

It is our understanding that we are unable to make changes to the adopted rating structure for 2022-23.

Further work will be required to determine our approach for rating of secondary dwellings as a part of the 2023-24 budget deliberations.  Considerations will need to be given to licencing requirements (under our Local Laws) and equity in the City’s ratepayer base.  I’m happy to update you on this once we have.

Patty Jago from Whitsunday offered the following information:

Currently Whitsunday Council rates secondary dwellings in the multi residential category for the general rate, Granny flats are included in this category.

Council also has a concession for the service charges if aged relatives live in the flat and have a pension card that confirms with the Department.

In this instance the general rate would change for the owners as they would be eligible for the owner occupier general rate.

I don’t believe that Council is looking at any changes due to the legislation at this stage.