Redland City Council has adopted a $468 million operating budget and a $136 million capital budget for the 2026–2027 financial year that makes significant investments in the projects and essential services that the community values most.
Acting Mayor Julie Talty said Council’s Budget acknowledged the tough economic climate in which it had been framed and the cost-of-living pressures that continue to impact the community and Council.
“Council’s direction and goals are clearly focused on delivering what matters today, tomorrow, and for the future of the Redlands Coast community,” Cr Talty said.
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“The challenge has been that the cost of delivering the services our community needs has continued to rise sharply – from materials and fuel, to maintaining roads, parks and essential services.
“This Budget has been developed in response to what our community has asked of Council and is respectful of the community’s money and resources.
“It has involved making careful, crucial, and cost-effective decisions.
“The rates increase this year is considerably less compared with last year, as a result of responsible financial management and focusing on what matters most to the community.”
AT A GLANCE: The 2026–2027 Budget
- $468 million investment in Redlands Coast
- An increase in general rates revenue of about $1.64 per week on the median category 1a owner-occupied property
- Budgeted operating surplus of $447,000
- Capital expenditure program of $136.2 million
AT A GLANCE: Capital expenditure program
- $46.33 million for transport, roads and traffic
- $39.34 million for water and wastewater projects
- $28.8 million for infrastructure projects such as transport, buildings and stormwater
- $14.6 million for other capital works projects
- $2.99 million for marine and foreshore projects, including canal and breakwater works
- $2.74 million for parks, open space and conservation
- $1.39 million for community and cultural development
Rates
Cr Talty said Council had managed to keep the increase to the general rate for 2026-2027 at 5.47 per cent, or about $1.64 per week, for rating category 1a median owner-occupied properties.
“Also, as of 1 July, Council will introduce two new rating categories that have been identified as required for the ongoing fairness and sustainability of our rating system,” she said.
“In introducing these new categories, for shopping centres and retirement and lifestyle communities, Council is mindful of the change and will smooth the impact in a way to assist those affected in a responsible way.
“Council will continue to explore rating categories in future years to ensure all ratepayers are treated equitably and consistently.”
Cr Talty said Council’s separate charges reflected the cost of managing important community services and long-term environmental responsibilities.
“Redlands Coast is valued for its natural environment, and our community rightly expects Council to manage these natural assets responsibly,” she said.
“This year, the Environment and Coastal Management separate charge will increase by 8.71 per cent to $280.48.
“Council also has ongoing responsibility for managing closed landfill sites so they remain safe for the environment and the community. To help us do that better, the Landfill Remediation separate charge will increase by 28.25 per cent to $99.52 per year per property.
“To support local SES and Rural Fire Service operations, Council will collect a combined $13.60 per rateable property each year.”
The Budget also includes total pensioner remissions and rebates of approximately $4.2 million. Pensioner rebates will be maintained at $335 per year for a full pensioner and $167.50 for a part-pensioner.
Redland City ratepayers were informed recently by the State Valuer-General of significant land valuation increases. Across Redlands Coast, land values rose by an average 20 per cent.
“Council has not simply passed on these land valuation increases, it has instead sought to increase rates only to the extent needed for its services, by reducing the ‘rate in the dollar’ applied to land valuations,” Cr Talty said.
Efficiencies and expectations
Cr Talty said the recent external review of Council operations found opportunities to create efficiencies within Council services and structures, and these were reflected in preparations for the 2026-2027 Budget.
“The review will inform how Council will continue to make changes that will streamline operations and save money in the financial year ahead,” she said.
“This process is already underway. For example, Redland Investment Corporation is being realigned under Council’s Major Projects Group, which has significantly reduced overhead expenditure.”
Cr Talty said Council had worked to keep rates as low as possible by finding and implementing efficiencies.
“In many cases, this doesn’t mean Council will be doing less. It will be doing things differently, so it can continue delivering for the community in a more efficient way,” she said.
“Importantly, in 2025-2026 Council was able to identify and absorb approximately $14.5 million in additional costs that otherwise would have been passed on to ratepayers, and maintains this budget discipline in the 2026-2027 Budget.”
Late last year, Council sought feedback from the community to help inform the development of the 2026–2027 Budget.
Cr Talty said the community engagement results showed that, in general, respondents would like Council spending on core services without cuts, and supported Council continuing to spend money on the services that matter the most to residents.
Capital expenditure
Council annually allocates funds as part of its Operational Plan to invest in the city’s infrastructure, streets, parks and public spaces.
Planning and development for the Annual Capital Works Program takes into consideration Council’s long-term Strategic Asset Management plans, community objectives and required levels of service for the upcoming financial year.
The 2026–2027 Budget allows for a capital expenditure program of $136.2 million.
Transport, roads and traffic
An allocation of $46.33 million is included in the Budget for capital expenditure on road and bridge renewals, targeted upgrades to improve traffic flow, and expanded cycleways and active transport options.
The bulk of the allocation is for the upgrade of Kinross Road at Thornlands, while allocations have also been made for the renewal of Double Jump Road, Mount Cotton; Wellington Street, Cleveland; Abelia Street, Alexandra Hills; and Ziegenfusz Road, Thornlands.
The Kinross Road upgrade project also has been funded under the Australian Government’s Housing Support Program – Community Enabling Infrastructure Stream.
Water, wastewater and waste
Almost one-third of Council’s capital spend for 2026-2027 – or $39.34 million – will go towards water and wastewater projects.
This includes sewerage rising mains renewals in Thornlands, and for sewer manhole refurbishment across the city.
There is also significant funding for replacing and upgrading the electrical switchboards at sewerage pump stations in Ormiston, Victoria Point and Cleveland.
In terms of waste management, $20 million has been allocated for the continuing landfill remediation and environmental management works at Judy Holt Park, Birkdale.
To create a fairer system and help manage rising costs for ratepayers, some changes at mainland Recycling and Waste Centres will take effect from 6 October 2026.
Under the new approach, each household will receive an annual allowance of up to 12 free visits per vehicle for general landfill and green waste. Fees will apply for disposing of certain materials – such as bricks and concrete, clean soil, mattresses, timber and tyres – because they are more costly to transport and process and are services used by the minority of customers.
Unlimited free visits will still apply for the disposal of certain materials, including asbestos and hazardous waste (within current limits and requirements), cardboard, scrap metal, whitegoods, household recyclables, and second-hand items that can be sold at RecycleWorld.
Infrastructure
Council has made a $28.8 million commitment to the city’s infrastructure.
Cr Talty said funds had been allocated to the Footpath Expansion and Gap programs.
“This will include the construction of new footpaths, widening of existing footpaths, renewal of existing paths to meet safety standards, expansion of the Moreton Bay Cycleway in Redland Bay, and an upgrade to the Hilliards Creek pedestrian bridge in Ormiston,” she said.
“Council has budgeted for planning work for the Redlands Coast Eco-Precinct at IndigiScapes to create a cohesive, sustainable and inclusive community space.
“It will also progress design, planning and construction of elements of the Birkdale Community Precinct Master Plan such as civil infrastructure and high voltage electrical requirements.”
Marine and foreshore
There is $2.99 million allocated in the Budget for marine and foreshore projects which include the renewal of the Cleveland Point seawall, and design work for foreshore protection measures on the Redland Bay esplanade.
Our islands
Residents living on the islands of Redlands Coast will benefit from a $10.8 million investment in infrastructure as part of Council’s 2026–2027 Budget.
Cr Talty said funding had been allocated to progress a number of projects, including a youth and community centre on Macleay Island.
“The centre will have spaces for multiple uses such as bookable meeting and counselling rooms, a youth space and training rooms,” she said.
The centre, supported under the Queensland Government’s South East Queensland Community Stimulus Program, will be purpose-built to be able to operate as a resilience hub during disasters.
The Budget also includes funding for:
- Stormwater drainage upgrades in Alawa Street, Macleay Island
- New shade sail at Lions Boulevard Park, Russell Island
- More library resources and renewal of amenities on Russell Island
- Upgrade to the Russell Island barge ramp
- Park renewals at the Cylinder and Deadmans Beach foreshores, and at Picnic Park, Amity Point on North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah)
- Design of a foreshore erosion barrier at Old Schoolhouse Park, Amity Point
- Road surface renewals at North Lane, Lucinda Crescent and near Dickson Way, at Point Lookout, North Stradbroke Island
- Replacement of the water main on Dickson Way, Dunwich, North Stradbroke Island.
Our green spaces and habitats
Through capital expenditure and operational expenditure, the Budget invests approximately $10.3 million in open spaces, parks and conservation, including the recreation zone at William Taylor Memorial Sportsfield, Thorneside.
Funds also have been allocated towards upgrades to Cascade Park in Victoria Point, Henry Ziegenfusz Park in Cleveland, and for a master plan and clubhouse design for Keith Surridge Park in Alexandra Hills.
Cr Talty said a new proactive tree management program funded in Council’s Budget would help clear the backlog of work caused by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred last year.
“The response by Council and the SES to the cyclone continues to receive praise in the community and this Budget allocates $2.3 million to disaster management and preparation,” she said.
“Another of Council’s much-lauded programs is our koala conservation work and this will continue to roll out in the upcoming financial year with allocation in the Budget for the environment and conservation.”
More information
Visit the Redland City Council website at redland.qld.gov.au/budget for more about the 2026-2027 Budget.
On the website you will find the following documents and information:
- 2026-2027 Budget publication
- Annual Capital Works Program
- Financial Sustainability Report
- Every $100 of your rates explained
- Understanding your rates notice
- Budget priorities and how decisions are made
- Frequently Asked Questions
