- $10 million in the Crisafulli Government's 2026-27 Budget to subsidise bulk water charges for Gladstone Regional Council customers.
- The subsidy will help keep the costs of water bills down for Gladstone residents.
- The Crisafulli Government is delivering on its commitment to make water more affordable for Queenslanders after the former Labor Government left Queenslanders with some of the most expensive water bills in the country.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering cheaper water bills for the Gladstone community, with $10 million in the 2026-27 Budget to subsidise bulk water charges from the Gladstone Area Water Board, and savings to be passed on to Gladstone Regional Council residents.
The former Labor Government's approach to water infrastructure left Queenslanders exposed to rising costs, with no clear plan to protect households or industry from bill shock, and left the State with some of the most expensive water bills in the nation.
This investment is part of the Crisafulli Government's ongoing commitment to delivering cost of living relief that Queenslanders can rely on and ensuring regional Queenslanders have access to affordable, safe and reliable water.
The subsidy will help minimise water cost increases for Gladstone residents and provide financial relief to households.
Minister for Local Government and Water Ann Leahy said the funding demonstrates the Crisafulli Government's action to ease cost of living pressures while addressing issues in water pricing.
"We understand the pressure rising costs are placing on households, and this $10 million investment is a practical step to help keep water bills affordable for the Gladstone community," Minister Leahy said.
"Under Labor's decade of decline, they invested very little in water infrastructure and had no clear plan to protect households from bill shock now, and now regional Queenslanders are exposed to rising costs.
"The Crisafulli Government is delivering for Gladstone by stepping in with targeted cost of living relief and restoring stability to water pricing.
"This is about ensuring communities like Gladstone have access to affordable, reliable water both now and into the future."
Assistant Minister for Regional Development, Resources and Critical Minerals Bryson Head said the funding would help protect Gladstone households and support local industry.
"After years of poor planning under the former Labor Government, Gladstone was left exposed to rising water costs that put pressure on both households and businesses," Assistant Minister Head said.
"This investment is about delivering for Queensland by keeping water bills affordable and ensuring communities like Gladstone have a fair and sustainable path forward."
Gladstone Regional Council Mayor Matt Burnett welcomed the funding and thanked the Minister for her support.
"We are very grateful to receive $10M in assistance to help cover the $13.2M bulk water charge introduced by Gladstone Area Water Board this year," Mayor Burnett said.
"These funds will certainly help ease the burden of this new GAWB charge on ratepayers."
Gladstone Area Water Board Acting CEO Scott Wikman said the subsidy would support affordability for residents and help Gladstone remain a great place to live.
"GAWB recognises the important role reliable, safe water plays in supporting the communities we serve," Mr Wikman said.
"By easing cost pressures for Gladstone residents, this subsidy will help support household affordability and provide practical relief for the community now and into the future."
