June 30, 2026
Residents face a base general rate rise of 6.9 per cent in the 2026-27 Toowoomba Regional Council Budget adopted by the TRC on Tuesday.
However, Council will retain the 5 per cent pay-on-time discount for residential ratepayers as well as pensioner rebates of $120 per year for general rates and $70 per year for water infrastructure charges.
Mayor Geoff McDonald said the $728 million Budget had been “carefully prepared to balance affordability for households and businesses with the need to deliver the services and infrastructure residents rely on”.
“We know households and businesses are continuing to face cost-of-living pressures and Council has taken a disciplined and measured approach to every decision in this Budget,” Mayor McDonald said.
“At the same time, the cost of delivering essential services continues to rise, from electricity, and uncertainty around fuel and insurance through to construction materials and major infrastructure.
“This Budget responds to those realities while protecting the long-term financial strength of our region.”
The Budget includes $492 million for operational expenditure and $236 million for capital works.
“We have worked hard to balance affordability with the need to maintain essential services, invest in critical infrastructure and secure our long-term sustainability,” Mayor McDonald said.
Major areas of capital expenditure include:
- $9.06 million for Community Services and Facilities
- $18.7 million for Parks and Recreation
- $17.6 million for Business Operations
- $40.89 million for Roads, Drainage, Footpaths and Bikeways
- $14.94 million for Waste Services
- $12.5 million for Wastewater
- $40.98 million for Water
- $81.4 million for Cressbrook Dam Safety Improvement Project
Also included are upgrades to the Yarraman Water Treatment Plant.
