REDLAND City ratepayers will pay higher rates from July 1 after councillors adopted a $468 million operating budget and a $136.2 million capital works program, promising major spending on roads, water, parks and island infrastructure while introducing sweeping changes to the city’s waste system.
The 2026-27 Budget delivers a 5.47 per cent increase in general rates, which Acting Mayor Julie Talty said equated to about $1.64 a week for the median Category 1A owner-occupied property.
The budget also introduces two new rating categories for shopping centres and retirement and lifestyle communities, increases several separate charges and commits more than $136 million to capital projects across the city.
Acting Mayor Julie Talty said the budget had been prepared against a difficult economic backdrop.
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.
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.”
New rating categories and higher charges
As part of the budget, council will introduce new rating categories for shopping centres and retirement and lifestyle communities from July 1.
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.”
Separate charges will also rise, with the Environment and Coastal Management levy increasing by 8.71 per cent to $280.48 and the Landfill Remediation charge jumping 28.25 per cent to $99.52 per property.
Council will also collect a combined $13.60 per property each year to support SES and Rural Fire Service operations, while maintaining about $4.2 million in pensioner remissions and rebates.
Despite average land valuations across Redlands Coast increasing by 20 per cent, Cr Talty said council had reduced the rate in the dollar so the valuation increases were not simply passed on to ratepayers.
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.
Efficiency drive to keep rates lower
Council says an external operational review has already begun delivering savings that helped limit this year’s rates increase.
The budget points to the integration of Redland Investment Corporation into council’s Major Projects Group as one example of reducing overheads, while revealing council absorbed about $14.5 million in additional costs during 2025-26 that would otherwise have been passed on to ratepayers.
The review will inform how Council will continue to make changes that will streamline operations and save money in the financial year ahead,” Cr Talty 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.”
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.”
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.”
Roads dominate capital works
Roads and transport receive the biggest share of council’s capital budget, with $46.33 million allocated to road and bridge renewals, traffic improvements and expanded cycleways.
The centrepiece is the upgrade of Kinross Road at Thornlands, alongside renewals for Double Jump Road at Mount Cotton, Wellington Street at Cleveland, Abelia Street at Alexandra Hills and Ziegenfusz Road at Thornlands.
Almost another $39.34 million will be spent on water and wastewater infrastructure, including sewer renewals and pump station upgrades.
The budget also allocates $20 million towards ongoing landfill remediation works at Judy Holt Park, Birkdale.
Waste changes begin in October
One of the biggest changes for residents will arrive on October 6, when residents will be limited to 12 free visits each year for landfill and green waste disposal at mainland Recycling and Waste Centres.
Most households have two vehicles which equates to 24 visits per year.
After that, fees will apply for a range of materials, although unlimited free disposal will remain for recyclables, asbestos and hazardous waste within existing limits, cardboard, scrap metal, whitegoods, household recyclables and reusable goods accepted through RecycleWorld.
Footpaths, islands and parks
Council has committed $28.8 million towards broader infrastructure projects, including new and upgraded footpaths, extensions to the Moreton Bay Cycleway, the Hilliards Creek pedestrian bridge, planning for the Redlands Coast Eco-Precinct at IndigiScapes and works associated with the Birkdale Community Precinct.
Marine and foreshore projects receive $2.99 million, including renewal of the Cleveland Point seawall and planning for erosion protection at Redland Bay.
The Southern Moreton Bay Islands will benefit from $10.8 million in infrastructure spending, including a new youth and community centre on Macleay Island, upgrades to Russell Island facilities, foreshore works on North Stradbroke Island and road and water infrastructure improvements.
Council is also investing about $10.3 million in parks, open space and conservation, including upgrades to sports fields, Cascade Park, Henry Ziegenfusz Park and Keith Surridge Park.
Funding has also been allocated for a new proactive tree management program following ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, $2.3 million for disaster management and preparation, and ongoing koala conservation initiatives.
