November 10, 2026
Overdue rates owed to the South Burnett Regional Council were slashed during 2025-26, Council’s latest annual report reveals.
In 2023-24, rate arrears were $4,379,303 or 7.03 per cent; in 2025-26, this figure had dropped to $2,878,087 or 2.96 per cent.
The fall has largely been attributed to Council convincing landholders who had slipped behind in their rates to start payment plans.
The figures are contained in the SBRC’s 2025-26 Annual Report which was adopted at last week’s Special Meeting.
The SBRC had an operating deficit of $2.2 million in 2025-26, down from $2.8 million the previous year.
This reduction was caused by a rise in revenue from rates, fees and charges but also from savings made in operating expenses.
Recurrent expenses were cut by $10.9 million, with large savings in contractors’ payments and consultants’ fees.
Revenue from rates, levies and charges rose by 5.5 per cent to $64.4 million.
Mayor Kathy Duff said Council had delivered a very modest rate rise; this occurred despite a 54.2 per cent increase in rateable land values in the South Burnett region in 2025.
Government grants and subsidies received rose by 8.4 per cent to $51.8 million, with large increases in State Government capital grants.
Council’s largest expense – wages, salaries and allowances – increased by 8.3 per cent to $32.4 million, the result of an increase in full-time equivalent employees from 330 to 354, and inflation.
Total payments, including salaries and allowances, to the Mayor and six councillors rose by a total of 8.5 per cent to $792,061.
Council held cash and at-call deposits of $118.3 million at June 30, 2026.
These reserves provide sufficient coverage for up to 17 months of operating expenses, well in excess of the benchmark of three months’ reserve holdings.
This strong liquidity allowed the SBRC to reduce its debt to the Queensland Treasury Corporation by $3.3 million.
- External link: Download the 2025-26 Annual Report
