Outrage after Council closes Inala Customer Service Centre

BRISBANE City Council has ignored the pleas of south-west residents by officially closing the Inala Customer Service Centre.

Residents will now be forced to pay their rates online and travel to other Brisbane locations to complete pensioner remission forms, dog registrations or conduct building searches.

Council decided to go ahead with the closures of the Inala, Wynnum and Garden City offices despite a tally of more than 350 petition signatures by angry Inala residents alone demanding Lord Mayor Graham Quirk rethink his decision.

Council Opposition Leader Milton Dick said the move was a slap in the face for residents and failed to recognise the growing aged and non-English speaking population in Inala who don't have access to the internet, credit or debit cards or readily available transport.

"Worried residents have been visiting my ward office to voice concerns that they won't be able to pay their rates and registrations on the internet or on the phone," Cr Dick said.

"Many residents don't have access to the internet and for many elderly residents paying their bills on the phone is too confusing.

"Residents in Inala, Wynnum and Mt Gravatt are paying top dollar for their rates while services are being ripped from our community."