Carbon tax set to force rate rise

LOGAN home owners have been warned to expect an increase in their yearly rates.

Governance, finance and economic development Chairperson, Councillor Luke Smith said rates would rise thanks to the carbon tax, which comes into effect on July 1.

"The carbon tax will be passed on and it will form part of the rates for every resident in the city," Cr Luke Smith.

"The impacts will come from our waste management process, particularly at the Browns Plains tip.

"We will also have a hit on road maintenance programs, such as asphalt, road delivery and electricity.

"Electricity is a massive cost to the city, particularly street lighting.

"Were talking about $6 million already, so the carbon tax is going to take that up significantly."

Despite the expected rise, Cr Smith said the council's 2012/2013 budget, which will be handed down on June 25, may contain some relief for residents.

"We don't go into budgets thinking how can we get the most out of our residents," he said.

"We know its tough and we know people are struggling, and that certainly has been kept in mind.

"You could probably expect a discount for pensioners."

Cr Smith said next week's budget will give priority to road maintenance, protection of bushland and wildlife, water quality in the Logan and Albert rivers and attracting new businesses.