ORMISTON resident Emmanuelle Rousseau has called on Redland City Council to scrap its $1.70 fee for paper rates notices, describing the charge as unfair and discriminatory.
Speaking at a recent Council meeting, Ms Rousseau – who has lived in the city for more than 30 years – said she was voicing the concerns of residents who had been disadvantaged by the policy.
“This fee punishes those who are not digitally connected,” she said.
“While encouragement to go digital may work for most, penalising residents for circumstances beyond their control is unfair.”
Ms Rousseau said only seven of Queensland’s 77 councils charged a paper notice fee and argued Redlands should not follow suit.
“The fee may seem small, but when combined with the highest rates rise in Greater Brisbane and the rising cost of living, it becomes yet another burden on households,” she said.
More importantly, she said, the charge undermined Council’s commitments to accessibility, equity and inclusion under its corporate plan and community engagement framework.
“Essential communications like rates notices are part of council’s core service,” she said.
“Paper notices are not just about convenience – for some residents they are the only way to receive their bill.
“Without them, people face the risk of confusion, costly missed payments and unnecessary hardship.”
Ms Rousseau urged councillors to consider the impact on older residents, people with limited digital literacy, and those concerned about online security.
She likened the policy to charging residents to use a lift in a Council building; while claiming it encouraged them to take the stairs.
“This so-called cost saving measure ends up punishing those at a disadvantage, through no fault of their own,” she said.
She asked councillors whether they genuinely believed the fee was inclusive and aligned with their own stated principles.
“Our community deserves answers and transparency. Savings should be smarter, not punitive,” she said.
“Fairness must come first. The community is watching.”
Division 3 Councillor Paul Golle said he sympathised with Ms Rousseau’s cause but pointed out the fee was easily avoided.
“The $1.70 fee disappears completely if you simply choose the email option,” he said.
A Redland City Council spokesperson said the $1.70 paper rate notice administration fee would be introduced from October 1 to help offset costs associated with producing and delivering 187,000 paper notices each year.
“The emailed notices will be sent in a format that can be easily read on a smart phone,” the spokesperson said.
“Residents without computers can access free wireless internet and tech help at all Council libraries, and library members can also use the internet-connected public computers.
“The new fee was included in the Register of Fees and Charges approved by Council at the Special Budget Meeting in June 2025.
“Ratepayers were notified of the fee on the quarterly rate notice issued on July 14, 2025, which included information explaining how to sign up to e-notices.”
