Residents across Wynnum, Manly, Lota, Belmont and surrounding suburbs are set to benefit from a raft of infrastructure upgrades, sporting facility improvements and cost-of-living measures under Brisbane City Council’s $3.9 billion 2026-27 Budget.
Handed down by Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner, the budget focuses heavily on easing household pressures while maintaining what council says are the lowest rates in south-east Queensland.
The budget delivers a $76.5 million cost-of-living package, record investment in roads and transport, and a range of local projects across Brisbane’s bayside suburbs.
Council says minimum general rates for owner-occupied households will increase by 3.97 per cent, equivalent to about 70 cents a week, despite inflation forecast to reach 4.8 per cent.
The budget also forecasts a $196 million operating surplus and, for the first time in almost a decade, no new borrowings, with council estimating this approach will save ratepayers $202 million in interest payments over the life of existing debt.
The announcement comes amid ongoing financial pressures facing local governments, including rising construction costs, increasing fuel prices and the growing burden of services being shifted from other levels of government.
Council noted that local governments receive only three cents in every tax dollar collected but deliver around one-third of the services residents rely on every day.
The Local Government Association of Queensland has reported a 378 per cent increase over the past 20 years in the financial impact of services shifted onto local councils.
Council also pointed to ongoing global instability, including conflict in the Middle East, as contributing to rising costs.
According to council, road infrastructure delivery and transport costs have increased by around 15 per cent, diesel prices have risen by about 90 cents per litre and construction costs continue to rise by between 10 and 20 per cent.
Bayside projects funded
A number of projects have been earmarked for Brisbane’s eastern bayside suburbs.
Footpath, pedestrian and bikeway upgrades will occur at Gordon Parade and Carbethon Street, Wynnum Esplanade, Preston Road Park Bikeway and Amoria Street.
The next stage of the Wynnum Safer School Precinct plan will also move forward, including preparation of designs for community consultation.
Road upgrades are planned for Ernest Street and Pine Mountain Road, while resurfacing works will take place across a range of local roads including:
- Foch Street
- Manly Road
- Oceana Terrace
- Pritchard Street
- Prospect Street
- Auvern Street
- Morgan Close
- Sue Street
- Tingal Road
- Aphrodite Street
- Belmont Road
- Meadowlands Road
- Scrub Road
- Mt Petrie Road
- Porter Street
- Benjamin Place
- Canberra Street
Local parks and sporting precincts will also receive significant investment.
Among the projects are the completion and release of the Wynnum, Manly and Lota Foreshore Master Plan, followed by further community consultation on the future of the popular waterfront precinct.
Don Randall Park at Lota will receive a new playground, replacing ageing equipment and relocating the facility away from surrounding trees.
New lighting will be installed at Ed Devenport Rotary Park, while environmental restoration works including weeding and replanting will take place along Wynnum Creek, Bulimba Creek, Phillips Creek and Lota Creek.
Council will also partner with local sporting organisations on several projects, including:
- New changerooms at Kitchener Park for Wynnum Manly Junior Rugby League.
- A new car park at Elanora Park to support local sporting clubs.
- A new pathway to the Wynnum Rugby Union Club clubhouse at Elanora Park.
- Lighting upgrades at Kianawah Oval for Wynnum Vikings AFL Club.
- Improvements to playing fields at Kianawah Park used by the Warehouse Cricket Association.
Additional projects include upgrades to dog park equipment at Preston Road Park, improvements to basketball courts at Regent Park in Carina, construction of a small dog park at Phillips Place Park, playground replacements at Crib Road Park and Oakley Street Playground, and upgraded lighting at Allan Innes Fields.
A community planting day is also planned for Cannon Hill and Belmont, with 250 additional native plants to be established.
Record spending on roads and transport
The budget includes a record $110 million investment in road improvements across Brisbane and more than $213 million to operate and maintain bus, ferry and Brisbane Metro services.
Council says these investments are critical to keeping Brisbane moving as population growth continues to accelerate.
Funding has also been increased for other core infrastructure.
An additional $13 million has boosted total spending on footpaths and bikeways to $63 million in 2026-27, while drainage investment has increased by $6 million to a total of $72 million.
More than $61 million has been allocated to Brisbane libraries, including more than $2 million for Bulimba Library and a five per cent increase in funding for library collections.
Council will also invest more than $29 million in creek and foreshore management, including works along the Wynnum, Manly and Lota foreshore.
Cost-of-living package
The budget’s cost-of-living measures include:
- A $60 annual on-time rates payment discount.
- Queensland’s most generous pensioner rates rebate, increasing to a maximum of $1,350.
- Exemption of rates establishment fees for eligible first-home buyers.
- Removal of credit and debit card surcharges from 1 July 2026.
- A new Move Well Brisbane health and fitness program.
- The return of the $2 Summer Dips pool initiative.
- More than $2 million for free off-peak public transport for seniors.
- Rebates for composting and food waste disposal equipment.
- Ten free 100kg waste vouchers for renters and owner-occupiers.
- Two free native plants for residents.
- Continued free annual kerbside collection services.
Council is also investigating opportunities through the South East Queensland Council of Mayors to convert waste into sustainable aviation fuel as waste levy costs continue to rise.
Heritage building sale planned
The budget also confirms council will progress the sale of the heritage-listed Brisbane School of Arts Building after no feasible proposals were received through a recent expression of interest process.
Council says the sale would secure the long-term future of the building while unlocking funding for other infrastructure and community services.
The building joins a list of heritage properties that have found new life through alternative ownership arrangements, including Victoria Barracks, Customs House, Old Government House, the former Brisbane Dental Hospital and the former Treasury Casino.
More than 80 per cent of the budget will continue to be spent in suburban Brisbane through council’s Suburbs First Guarantee.
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the budget struck the right balance between cost-of-living relief and continued investment in the city’s future.
“We’re spending less where we can and investing more where it counts.
“This Cost-of-Living Budget keeps rates as low as possible, ensuring Brisbane residents continue to pay less than other councils while getting more.
“We’ve made tackling cost-of-living a priority for this budget because we recognise families are still feeling the pressure of higher grocery bills, electricity prices, rent and mortgages.
“We have a responsibility to manage our Budget carefully. After all, this is not Council’s money, it’s residents’ money.
“Our Cost-of-Living Budget provides practical relief for Brisbane residents, while we continue to invest in the infrastructure and services needed to keep Brisbane moving.
“Our sensible financial management means we’re reducing unnecessary spending while investing more in better roads and the services that help shape our reputation as Australia’s lifestyle capital.
“This is a responsible Cost-of-Living Budget that puts Brisbane residents first.”
Wynnum Manly Ward councillor Alex Givney said the budget would help prepare the bayside for future growth.
“Wynnum is a fast-growing suburb and we’re planning for its future today, by making it easier for residents to enjoy our parks and recreational spaces.
“This budget has prioritised important plans for the future of Wynnum, by delivering the highly requested Elanora Park car park which many residents and community club members will use every week.
“I will continue to work with Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner to ensure residents are getting more on the bayside, while paying hundreds of dollars less than other Councils.”
Doboy Ward councillor Lisa Atwood said the budget continued council’s focus on supporting local communities.
“As hundreds of people move to Brisbane every week, the Schrinner Council is investing in our suburbs.
“This Budget supports the residents, clubs and organisations that make our City so special.
“From road resurfacing, to supporting Warehouse Cricket and an exciting community planting day in Cannon Hill, we’re passionate about investing in the suburbs and making Brisbane even better.”
