The City's 2025-26 budget ensures low costs while establishing the foundation for long-term and sustainable growth for the Gold Coast.
This year the City's total budget of $2.678 billion is an increase of $215 million from the 2024-25 financial year.
"This budget will invest in sustainable infrastructure that supports our growing population along with providing enhanced services while ensuring costs are kept low for ratepayers," Mayor Tom Tate said.
"We have kept the average general rate increase as low as possible for properties used as a principal place of residence – delivering at CPI, with an increase of just 2.7%. The 10% discount for on time payment will also remain.
"This budget will help future-proof our city while keeping the environment in mind with targeted investments into waste-to-energy planning, wildlife corridor acquisitions, disaster management and improved community facilities."
The City will be enhancing its services further by ensuring more efficiencies within the City administration, resulting in more financial benefits for residents.
"This is a responsible budget which focuses more on investment in infrastructure, services, and outcomes that matter to our community while spending less on the City Administration," Mayor Tate added.
The City will continue to look after its pensioners with the Pensioner Rebate being increased by 10% to $298 in this year's budget.
Due to the significant impacts of Tropical Cyclone Alfred the City has introduced a $10 Disaster Management Response and Recovery separate charge for all ratepayers to support the recovery efforts and to build future resilience from severe weather events.
CORE SERVICES AND OVERALL INVESTMENT HIGHLIGHTS
- Safe drinking water and recycled water – $353 million
- Sewage collection and treatment – $298 million
- Waste services, collection and recycling – $316 million
- Transport and infrastructure – $543 million
- Lifestyle and community – $221 million
- Green space and environment – $245 million
- Economy and events – $107 million
