Toowoomba residents can expect to pay nearly 10 per cent more in their annual rates bills. Ratepayers will pay an average of $241.50 more this year.
The rate rise, which was confirmed when the Toowoomba Regional Council adopted its 2025-26 Budget this week, far exceeds inflation which is now running at 2.4 per cent.
Toowoomba Region Mayor Geoff McDonald said the council’s adoption of the $705 million budget followed months of work.
“Despite many challenges, we have forecast a $1.5 million surplus in this budget which strengthens our sustainable financial future,” Cr McDonald said.
“Council has adopted a general rate rise of 9.5 per cent for Toowoomba urban residential ratepayers.
“The general rate rise for 68 percent of all rateable properties across the Toowoomba region will be less than 10 percent.”
Cr McDonald said the council faced rising costs to deliver its services to the region.
“We have made provisions for a $469 million operational spend while $236 million has been allocated to council’s capital projects,’’ he said.
“This year we have budgeted $14.4 million for electricity. That’s $14.4 million just to keep essential services running and the lights on.
“That’s an increase of $1.9 million from last year or 15.5 per cent.
“The story doesn’t get any better for Council’s insurance premiums. Despite not changing our level of coverage, it’ll cost Council $5 million to pay our premiums this year which is a $2.1 million increase, 73 percent higher than last year.
“The volatility in fuel prices will also be felt with a whopping $5.7 million forecast in fuel alone to keep Council’s fleet on the road.”
“Just like households, these are unavoidable expenses for Council that keep rising well beyond inflation each year.
Budget Highlights
- A $705 million financial plan
- $469 million operational expenditure
- $236 million capital projects
- A $1.5 million Budget surplus
- 68 per cent of all ratable properties will receive a general rate rise of less than 10 per cent
- A 5 per cent pay-on-time discount for all residential ratepayers (including rural residential)
- 5 per cent increase to pensioner rebates to $120 on general rates
Major areas of operational and capital expenditure will include:
- $263 million for water and wastewater projects (including Cressbrook Dam Safety Improvement Project);
- $160 million for roads, drainage, footpaths and bikeways;
- $122 million for community services, facilities and parks and recreation projects;
- $50 million for waste services;
- $17.5 million for Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements
Capital Project Highlights
- Oakey Showground Toilets and Pavilion
A new pavilion has been constructed. Currently major electrical works are being undertaken, these will be finalised in 2024/25. The underground services and sewer work prior to the toilets being replaced in 2025/26. A new master plan has identified additional work required to ensure infrastructure will be in place to support the progressive development of the showground.
Cost: $550,000
- Crows Nest – Haden Road, Bergen
Upgrade road to two lane standard.
Cost: $2,500,000
- Oakey Biddeston Road Stage 2
Oakey Biddeston Road Stage 2 project is to upgrade the section of road between Oakey Creek and Oakey Crosshill road to an improved standard for road train class vehicle and will be funded by the Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program.
Cost: $1,500,000
- Millmerran Indoor Sports Centre Roof
Renew the Millmerran Indoor Sports Centre roof and insulation. Design undertaken in 2024/25 and replacement in 2025/26.
Cost: $750,000
- Branchview Rd Bridge Renewal
This complex project will be delivered over several years.
Cost: $2,300,000
- Clifton Pittsworth Road Link Upgrade
Upgrade of Clifton Pittsworth Road between Leslie Bridge Road and Toowoomba Karara Road from single lane to double lane.
Cost: $2,000,000
- Gillespie Street, Millerran Rehabilitation
Part of the annual Rehabilitation Program.
Cost: $400,000
- Clifton Allora Road Culvert Renewal
This project is to renew the existing Clifton Allora Road Culvert.
Cost: $450,000
- Clara May Smythe Park
Upgrade to District Recreation Park (Clara May Smythe Park), Highfields. Upgrade park to District level. In 25/26 construction works will occur, which includes: activity nodes, paths, hardscapes, and visitor facilities infrastructure.
Cost: $1,188,363
- Captain Cook Recreation Reserve
Upgrade to District Recreation Corridor (Captain Cook Recreation Reserve) Toowoomba. Determined through LGIP. Open Space Network to meet catchment growth and desired standards of service. 24/25 works include detailed design and construction documentation ready for construction to commence in 25/26.
Cost: $356,790
- Highfields Rd/OBrien Rd/Kratzke Rd Intersection
This multi-year LGIP project will upgrade the existing intersection to accommodate the predicted increase in traffic volumes in Highfields.
Cost: $6,000,000
- Perth Street Culvert Upgrade
Project is a part of the East Creek Flood Mitigation Master Plan to increase the capacity of the culverts on Perth Street and reduce the flooding of Kitchener Street. It is a complex project to deliver over multiple years.
Cost: $2,000,000
- Cressbrook Dam Safety Improvements
Dam spillway upgrade to ensure compliance with licensing requirements for spillway to pass 100% Acceptable Flood Capacity (AFC)
Cost: $96,500,000
- Southern Water Treatment Plant Project
Commence work on the Southern Water treatment plant.
Cost: $7,174,621
- Smart Water Meter Program Region Wide
Program to procure and deploy Smart Water Meters on customer connections across the water reticulation network.
Cost: $2,700,000
- Cooby Dam Inlet Pipe Replacement
Reservoir infrastructure upgrades to ensure asset resilience and compliance with licensing requirements.
Cost: $8,430,000
- Toowoomba Regional Sports Precinct
Toowoomba Regional Sports Precinct, TRSP has been designed to enable a staged delivery. 2025-26 encompasses finalisation of detailed design.
Cost: $2,104,331
- Toowoomba Escarpment Mountain Bike Trails
Implementation of Escarpment Mountain Bike Masterplan. Develop design documentation ready for a 2-year construction delivery in 25/26 & 26/27.
Cost: $1,300,000
- Lower Order Road Upgrade Program
The Lower order road upgrade program is to address issues with the lower order road network focusing on formed and unformed roads as per the November 2022 Council Decision.
Cost: $2,000,000
