Amazing: Rates Formula Contains More Than One Number, Immediately Ruins Entire Facebook Argument.
Widespread confusion across several community Facebook groups ensued after discovering that property rates are calculated using a formula involving more than just whichever number best supports a pre-existing opinion.
The shocking revelation emerged after a marathon analysis of Noosa’s latest Revenue Statement, which concluded that some Short-Term Accommodation (STA) categories are charged a lower cents-in-the-dollar rate than standard commercial properties.
The discovery was initially hailed as “proof” of everything by everyone.
However, celebrations were short-lived when an unidentified spreadsheet enthusiast pointed out that the rate in the dollar must also be multiplied by the property’s unimproved capital value, and may also be subject to a minimum general rate. “Wait, are you saying there’s maths after the first number?” asked one distressed commenter, who had already written a 600-word post beginning with the words “It’s simple really.”
Sources confirm the conversation became increasingly tense as participants learned that a property with a lower rate in the dollar can sometimes pay more rates than a property with a higher rate in the dollar. Several residents were later observed staring silently into the middle distance after discovering that comparing rating categories requires knowledge of land values, assessment numbers, minimum charges and total revenue contributions.
The controversy intensified after Council figures revealed that STA properties contribute almost a quarter of all general rate revenue.
Within minutes, competing camps had interpreted the same statistic as evidence that:
STAs are paying far too much;
STAs are paying far too little;
Council secretly worships Airbnb;
Council secretly hates Airbnb;
Commercial businesses are victims;
Commercial businesses are beneficiaries; and
The entire rating system is a conspiracy orchestrated by somebody’s neighbour in Sunshine Beach.
Political analysts say the final conclusion reached by most participants was that the figures proved whatever they already believed before reading them, with a council finance officer reportedly trying to explain the difference between a rate category and a total rates bill to a crowd of residents armed with screenshots, pie charts and an unshakeable confidence that they had definitely “figured it all out.”