THE Redland City Council budget discriminates against Southern Moreton Bay Island residents, says Russell Island resident Michael Verry.
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Island ratepayers should not have been included in the city's 1a rating category and the Translink levy was unfair.
Mr Verry said he was so annoyed by the unjust levy that he planned to lodge a complaint with the Queensland Ombudsman.
Mr Verry said islanders were entitled to the same services and benefits afforded to mainland residents.
"This includes access to an affordable transport network,'' he said. "Already island ratepayers (including absentee landowners who never use Translink), have paid $2.4 million to Translink.’’
Mr Verry said he had a problem with islanders having to contribute - other than through fares - to annual running costs.
Mayor Karen Williams said the levy was struck as part of an agreement between the Redland City Council and Translink more than two years ago.
Without this contribution, the islands would not have been included in the Translink ticketing network.
The levy was offset by the council reducing the accelerated infrastructure component of islanders' rates.
The ticketing network had proved a success, delivering significantly cheaper fares.
Mr Verry said the council should provide a financial statement of Translink set-up costs and levy income.
"In my opinion the current levy is unlawful,'' he said. "At no time did council come to residents and say what options were on the table and seek views from the affected ratepayers.''
He said Translink services to Redland City should be shared equitably by all ratepayers, as all ratepayers had access to Translink.
Mr Verry said the change in SMBI rating category also was unfair.
"Previously I was category 3a (at) $156 a quarter,'' he said. "Now I am category 1a - $225 quarter, an increase of $69 or 42 per cent.
"What do I get for this? No public transport (we pay a levy for that), minimal street lighting, no kerb or channelling, unsealed roads, no town sewerage but I do get town water and a refuse collection.
"...If we are to pay same rates as mainland residents then we should have equal services/infrastructure. For that 42 per cent increase I am getting nothing.''
Cr Williams said island infrastructure had been boosted, with the sealing of 15 roads over the past few years and more to be done as well as sports fields, car parks, seawalls built and asbestos capping in hand.
She said southern bay islanders had previously paid a different rating category to all other ratepayers. "All other islands were already rated the same as mainland properties so it makes sense for SMBI properties to be treated the same,'' she said.
The one-off rates’ increase supported by all councillors in this year's budget was aimed at equity for all ratepayers.
