REDLAND City ratepayers will pay 5.47 per cent more in general rates from July 1 – about $85 extra a year – after Council adopted its 2026-27 Budget.
The increase sits just behind Logan City Council’s 5.49 per cent rise, but well below Sunshine Coast’s 9.7 per cent increase.
It is also above Brisbane City Council’s 3.97 per cent, the Gold Coast’s 4.7 per cent rise and Ipswich’s 5.45 per cent.
The Budget also introduces two major policy changes, with new rating categories for shopping centres and retirement/lifestyle communities.
Another significant change takes effect on October 6 when residents will be limited to 12 free visits each financial year to the Redland Bay and Birkdale Recycling and Waste Centres for landfill and green waste disposal.
After those 12 visits, charges will apply for landfill and green waste loads, although recyclable materials including cardboard, scrap metal, whitegoods, household recyclables and goods accepted through RecycleWorld will remain free.
Most households have two vehicles, which equates to 24 visits per year.
Acting Mayor Julie Talty said the new “reasonable use” system was needed to curb rising waste disposal costs and create a fairer system.
While residential general rates will increase by 5.47 per cent – lower than last year’s 7.89 per cent increase – commercial property owners face a 6.5 per cent rise.
Cr Talty said Council had absorbed about $14.5 million in additional costs over the past financial year rather than passing them to ratepayers.
The Budget also increases several separate charges.
The Environment and Coastal Management levy will rise 8.71 per cent to $280.48 while the Landfill Remediation charge will increase 28.25 per cent to $99.52 per property.
Roads and transport projects will receive the biggest share of the capital works program, with Council allocating $46.33 million for transport, roads and traffic infrastructure.
The largest project is the upgrade of Kinross Rd at Thornlands, with further funding allocated to renew Double Jump Rd at Mount Cotton, Wellington St in Cleveland, Abelia St at Alexandra Hills and Ziegenfusz Rd at Thornlands.
The Budget includes funding for new footpaths, widening existing paths, extending the Moreton Bay Cycleway in Redland Bay and upgrading the Hilliards Creek pedestrian bridge at Ormiston.
The Budget passed on the first vote, with only Cr Jason Colley opposing it due to concerns over spending.
