A high-rise rate increase for Gold Coast apartments is being described by some as a cruel and dangerous ‘view tax’. Council rates increased by up to 50% with little warning for some owners.
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00:00Million dollar views on the Gold Coast just got a little bit more expensive and residents feel blindsided.
00:09For me it was out of the blue. I just didn't know anything about it, totally unaware.
00:13And we live in an apartment block that has managers on site who were totally unaware of it.
00:19Gold Coast City Council is increasing rates for high rise apartments and the higher you go, the higher the hike.
00:2640 storeys up, rates are increasing between 40 and 50 per cent in what's being dubbed a view tax.
00:33I think in a cost of living crisis it's cruel to be increasing rates without any consultation
00:42and giving nobody any ability to prepare for this in their household budgets.
00:47The Council argues the increase is a return to a more equitable system that it removed in 2013.
00:54This is a much fairer model. It was used for many decades before 2013 and it's only been the last 10 years
01:01that we have effectively given a concession to high rise penthouse owners.
01:07For some high rise residents the change and the Council's reasons for it make sense.
01:12I think it's better that people who live in very valuable property pay more in order for people on lower incomes
01:19not to face a big rate rise. I really do believe that.
01:22It's another cost. It's a significant increase in cost without any really relatable value.
01:27I can't see any reason why I'm suddenly paying a whole lot more and not really getting a lot in return.