Brisbane property rates to rise

Brisbane rates will increase by 4.7 percent next financial year, to help fund the Brisbane Metro $1.54 billion rapid transit subway system.

The rate increase is close to double last year's 2.5 percent rise for property owners.

Ratepayers currently paying the $535 annual minimum rate are taking the biggest hit, with the minimum base rate for owner-occupiers going up $100 per year.

The minimum base rate for non-owner occupied properties will increase by $150.

Apartment owners will face the highest increase.

Residents in Hawthorne will see the largest annual jump in their rates, seeing an average annual increase of $183.12, followed by Chelmer ($181.56), Ascot ($179.14) and Hamilton ($155.44).

Cowan Cowan residents on Moreton Island will have their rates drop by $163.50 on average.

Three other suburbs secured a reduction in rates this year with owner-occupiers due to pay on average $129.35 less in Bulwer, $88.15 less in Kooringal and $5.35 less in Boondall.

Chandler residents have an average bill of $2,879.84, followed by $2644.52 in Ascot, $2640.72 in Chelmer, $2,637.56 in Hawthorne.

Rocklea owner occupiers will spend the least on average on rates paying $1006.88.

Lord Mayor Cr Graham Quirk defended the rise of the minimum annual rates, from $535.88 to $635.88 on Wednesday.

"Brisbane is experiencing significant growth in unit development," he said.

"However, what many people don't realise is that many of these units only pay the minimum rate.

"…This places an unfair burden on existing ratepayers who are required to make up the shortfall in funding for infrastructure and services."