AS RESIDENTS across the region assess what the 2015-16 Council Budget will mean for them, cane farmers can take solace in a 10 per cent rate reduction for their farms.

Canegrowers Proserpine manager Mike Porter said the single category rates system, implemented by the current council, meant a 10 per cent rate reduction could have a big impact.

"Ten per cent for many growers would be a big reduction," he said.

"When you have just one category… the rate charges for large farms could be quite horrendous.

"(And) small farms aren't as viable as larger farms, so even they are exposed if you have one size fits all."

Cane farmer Tony Large isn't convinced however.

"You can't deny that any sort of discount is good, but it's a pretty token gesture," he said. "When the councils first amalgamated, what I used to pay for 12 months I'm paying in six months now.

"The only thing it can be put down to is just gross mismanagement, and that's not just this council, but the previous council too."

Mr Large said he felt the regional areas were being neglected when it came to council investment.

"In my opinion, and I ran for council about four years ago, I think Airlie Beach and Cannonvale are doing the best, I think Proserpine and Bowen are on a par, and I think the regional areas, Gumlu, Collinsville, Scottville, they're the ones getting the raw egg."