Rockhampton Regional Council has adopted its 2026/2027 budget with a real focus on delivering the projects and initiatives that matter to residents and business' everyday lives.
The Budget is forecast to deliver a small surplus, reflecting Council's commitment to maintaining long-term financial sustainability while continuing to invest in essential infrastructure, asset renewals and community services.
Rates and charges remain Council's primary source of operating revenue and play an important role in supporting essential services, maintaining community assets and delivering key infrastructure.
In preparing the Budget, Council has carefully reviewed its expenditure program to ensure spending is responsible, targeted and aligned with the services that residents interact with every day.
Council has also spent additional time to refine and test its capital works program to ensure projects are necessary, appropriately timed and provide value to the community.
These actions have been undertaken to ensure that the 2026/27 rate rise is as low as possible and that every dollar Council spends is put where it will do the most good.
The average Rockhampton residential ratepayer will see a rate rise of 5.5 per cent in 2026/27, achieving a lower increase than many other major regional cities across Queensland.
Key funding measures
- $36 million for road renewals, upgrades and rehabilitation program
- $21 million on other major capital projects including works to community facilities, open space, Showgrounds and water infrastructure
- $15 million for North Rockhampton Sewerage Treatment Plant with future works budgeted in 2027/2028
- $14.7 million on Fitzroy River Water capital program
- $9.5 million in Facilities and Open Space renewals and upgrades, including works at cemeteries, community facilities, parks and playgrounds, Showgrounds and swimming pools
- $9.1 million Council Fleet Renewal Program
- $5.7 million on Waste Management capital works
- $2.7 million in Airport capital projects
Quotes attributable to Mayor Tony Williams:
"We know cost of living is having a real impact on the community and that's tough for everyone.
"That's why we've taken the time to refine our expenditure; consider, review and target our capital works program and ensure that in tough economic circumstances we are focused on delivering everyday improvements.
"These are the projects, the services and the initiates that support people's everyday lives.
"It's focused on ensuring we meet our commitments to the community around roads, water infrastructure, parks and community spaces.
"We're seeing major regional councils right across Queensland having to lift rates in response to cost pressures. That is something that we need to do but we know that every dollar we spend needs to be going to things that really matter."
