Annual Budget

Where your rates are going in 2026-27

Council has delivered a balanced budget that prioritises essential services, critical infrastructure, and the lifestyle our community values.

It is a budget that makes important decisions to put Council on a sustainable footing for the long term, while making sure the cost of those decisions is shared fairly across our community. 

Budget at a glance

*Based on median 1a household

Our priorities and where we’re investing

 Water and wastewater

Clean, safe and reliable water

Delivering safe, reliable water to every tap and treating wastewater to protect our environment and waterways.

Investment in water networks, wastewater treatment plants, pipelines and pump stations keeps services running reliably for our growing community.

A targeted renewal program will continue replacing ageing infrastructure, ensuring reliable services now and into the future.

 Roads, bridges and stormwater

Maintaining our road network, bridges, stormwater systems and other public infrastructure

Keeping over 1,170 km's of roads, as well as the City's bridges and stormwater systems safe and reliable.

Funding supports renewal and upgrades to improve traffic flow, support active transport and enhance safety. 

This includes resurfacing roads, fixing potholes and delivering targeted improvements across the network.

 Waste management

Managing waste and recycling services, including household and commercial collections

Delivering a complex, always‑on waste system – managing more than 500,000 visits to waste centres each year, millions of bin collections, and over 17,000 customer requests.

 Open spaces, conservation and sporting venues 

Parks, open spaces, conservation areas, sports fields, marine and foreshore protection 

Maintaining the parks, open spaces and natural areas that support the Redlands Coast lifestyle.

Council cares for 395 recreation parks, 236 playgrounds, 103 km's of recreation trails, and over 350 hectares of landscaping across the city. We mow more than 1,100 hectares of parks, sports fields and roadside, and maintain 324 natural areas including conservation areas, wetlands and bushland refuges.

We also manage over 400 sites where revegetation and regular maintenance are undertaken to support biodiversity.  We maintain over 104 hectares of Asset Protection Zones ('fire breaks') and 190 km's of fire access tracks to reduce bushfire risk on council land.

 Environment and regulation

What this budget means for our residents

Council has taken a responsible approach to balance rising costs while minimising the impact on households.

For 2026–2027, the median general rate for owner-occupied residential properties will increase by approximately $1.64 per week. This represents a 5.47% increase, or $85.30 per year, for properties with a median land valuation.

What we’re delivering 

Each year, Council allocates funds as part of its Operational Plan to invest in our infrastructure, streets, parks and public spaces across the city. Find out more about these projects, programs and initiatives at Annual Capital Works Program.

$100 breakdown – where your money goes

Every $100 of Council budget is used to deliver a wide range of services