Keeping rates low with a measured and controlled approach

Published on 24 June 2025

Rockhampton Regional Council has adopted a managed, well-balanced and controlled budget for 2025/2026.

The budget which will deliver a forecast surplus of $475,000 reflects Council’s commitment to financial sustainability while continuing to invest in the infrastructure projects, renewals and services the community needs.

Importantly, with gains made over recent years, Council is forecasting a general rate revenue increase of 3 per cent for residential categories, while implementing measures to minimise the impact of significant valuation changes.

Land revaluations have driven a sharp increase in valuations since 2022 with an overall increase of 36 per cent.

In response, Council has implemented measures to reduce the rate in the dollar between 17 and 24 per cent for residential properties compared to the previous year’s rates. Council has also implemented a rate capping for non-residential properties which have borne the brunt of the largest revaluation increases to a maximum of 20 per cent.

These measures are designed to balance and soften the impact of revaluations as much as possible while ensuring that Council continues to invest in the necessary infrastructure, community and economic development initiatives that the region needs.

Council has also reviewed and refined capital expenditure to ensure projects are necessary, timely and meeting the present and/or long-term need of the region. In doing so, Council continues to manage its capital program in a responsible way and ensure that it’s spending is targeted appropriately.

Through the Budget, Council has also reaffirmed its commitment to working with State and Federal Government to secure external funding for significant projects and initiatives.

Key measures from the 2025/26 Budget, include:

$39.7 million for road renewals, upgrades, and rehabilitation, offset by $23.2 million in capital income.
$21 million for facilities renewals and upgrades, including cemeteries, community and council facilities, libraries, showgrounds, depots, tennis courts, swimming pools, and the Pilbeam Theatre.
$5.6 million for park renewals and upgrades, covering new playgrounds, landscaping, irrigation, pathway renewals, and Rockhampton Zoo enclosure improvements.
$10.8 million for various airport capital projects.
$2.7 million for continued development of the North Rockhampton Sporting Precinct
$3.4 million for waste management capital works.
$14.1 million for the Fitzroy River Water capital program, offset by $2.8 million in capital income.

Rockhampton Regional Council’s 2025/26 Budget is available at https://www.rockhamptonregion.qld.gov.au/AboutCouncil/Finance-Rates-and-Budget/Budget.

Quotes attributable to Rockhampton Regional Council Mayor, Tony Williams:

“We know that the last few years have been tough for everyone. That’s also been true for Council as we battled significant project cost increases and the problem of inflation.

“We have worked hard over the last few years to keep up with our infrastructure investment and renewals while trying to manage growing costs.

“That has meant that we can now hand down what is a balanced, managed and controlled Budget which keeps rates low while continuing with the investments we need, and the services people rely on.

“Investments like our local roads package which will refurb, renew and improve our local network to make it safer and more efficient.

“Investment like our facilities renewals and upgrades and upkeep and improvement of our parks – making sure that our places and spaces are modern and inviting and places people want to go to.

“It is also important for people to note that we have seen significant revaluations occur this year and so that will mean that the exact amount people pay may differ – potentially substantially depending on their specific circumstances.

“That’s why we have taken the extra step to try and manage those changes and soften them as much as we can.

“Ultimately, that’s what this Budget is – a budget that speaks to the time and does what we can, where we can, while keeping rates as modest as possible.”