Council’s ‘View Tax’ Leads to 50 Percent Rate Hikes for High-Rise Residents

Some Gold Coast apartment owners are expressing concerns after receiving rate hikes of up to 50 percent, following the council’s decision to bill occupants based on the value of their property, rather than the value of the land. The changes could result in some residents paying an additional $676 (US$442) annually on their rates bills. Opponents of the move say many high-rise dwellers on the Gold Coast are elderly or students, and that what has been dubbed a “view tax” on higher-level apartments is both unfair and unexpected. Under the council’s new rates rules, people living on the fifth floor of a complex or lower will not face an increase. However, those living on higher floors will pay staggered rate increases, up to 40 or 50 percent for the highest floors....