Budget 2025-2026

We have adopted our 2025/26 Budget, a $197 million financial plan that balances service delivery, community resilience, practical investment, and long-term sustainability.

We will spend $81 million in this Budget on capital projects, and $116 million on core operations.

On this page, you will find information regarding major projects, a breakdown of budget spend, information regarding residential general rates and residential water rates as well as other residential charges and levies.

Budget Media Releases

Fairer Rates, Smarter Spending: Council Cushions the Blow of Land Revaluations

Budget Documents

Operational Plan

All Capital Projects

A full list of the Capital Projects which were approved as part of the 2025/26 Budget are available below. The data in this listing is subject to review and change throughout the course of the financial year.

View all Capital Projects here.

Understanding Your Rates: Where the Money Comes From and Goes

Council will spend $81 million in this Budget on capital projects, and $116 million on core operations.

Where the money comes from:

Where the money goes:
  • Rates and Charges - $84.4 million
  • Revenue and Reserves - $11.8 million
  • Operating Grants (DRFA) - $8.2 million
  • Operating Grants (other) - $10.8 million
  • Capital Income including grants - $24.3 million
  • Capital Grants (DRFA) - $13.3 million
  • Fees and Charges - $4.6 million
  • Loans - $0.0 million
  • Interest Recieved - $3.6 million
  • Sales of Assets - $0.0 million 

Total = $161.0 million

 
  • Road, bridges, drainage, footpaths and bikeways - $64.7 million
  • Roads and drainage (DFRA) - $22.0 million
  • Open Spaces - $6.1 million
  • Marine Facilities - $1.8 million
  • Facilities - $15.0 million
  • Water - $28.7 million
  • Wastewater - $19.7 million
  • Waste and Resource Recovery - $14.1 million
  • Development and Environment - $7.1 million 
  • Libraries and Museums - $3.1 million
  • Community and Engagement - $1.9 million
  • Business, Strategy and Operations - $12.7 million 

Total = $196.9 million

 

Summary for Residential Rates and Charges

The average general rates increase across the whole Region is 3.95%. Individual properties will vary depending on land valuation changes and general rate category changes.

Residential General Rates

The average residential property increase across the whole Region for general rates is 3.95%. The average is based on the unimproved residential land value, however the impact on individual properties will vary depending on land valuation changes and general rate category changes.

Council has also introduced rates capping for its residential ratepayers, something Cassowary Coast Regional Council hasn’t done before. This means, where some property values have significantly increased above the average residential property, the general rates charged won’t rise by more than 15% compared to last year.

Open a location below to view more detailed information:

  • Average land value in category*: $140,187

    Average land valuation increase: $36,287

    The amount the average ratepayer paid in 2024/25 would have been:  $1,831

    The amount the average ratepayer will pay in 2025/26 will be: $1,884

    This equals a dollar increase of: $54 and a percentage increase of: 2.9%.

    * Land values are set by the Queensland State Government.

    These are based on the average unimproved and value, however the impact on individual properties will vary depending on land valuation changes and general rate category changes.

  • Average land value in category*: $164,037

    Average land valuation increase: $42,472

    The amount the average ratepayer paid in 2024/25 would have been:  $2,138

    The amount the average ratepayer will pay in 2025/26 will be: $2,232

    This equals a dollar increase of: $94 and a percentage increase of: 4.4%.

    * Land values are set by the Queensland State Government.

    These are based on the average unimproved land value, however the impact on individual properties will vary depending on land valuation changes and general rate category changes.

  • Average land value in category*: $140,782

    Average land valuation increase: $33,146

    The amount the average ratepayer paid in 2024/25 would have been:  $2,709

    The amount the average ratepayer will pay in 2025/26 will be: $2,801

    This equals a dollar increase of: $92 and a percentage increase of: 3.4%.

    * Land values are set by the Queensland State Government.

    These are based on the average unimproved land value, however the impact on individual properties will vary depending on land valuation changes and general rate category changes.

  • Average land value in category*: $533,049

    Average land valuation increase: $209,183

    The amount the average ratepayer paid in 2024/25 would have been:  $9,466

    The amount the average ratepayer will pay in 2025/26 will be: $9,867

    This equals a dollar increase of: $401 and a percentage increase of: 4.2%.

    * Land values are set by the Queensland State Government.

    These are based on the average unimproved land value, however the impact on individual properties will vary depending on land valuation changes and general rate category changes.

     

  • Average land value in category*: $273,918

    Average land valuation increase: $61,335

    The amount the average ratepayer paid in 2024/25 would have been:  $6,057

    The amount the average ratepayer will pay in 2025/26 will be: $6,326

    This equals a dollar increase of: $270 and a percentage increase of: 4.5%.

    * Land values are set by the Queensland State Government.

    These are based on the average unimproved land value, however the impact on individual properties will vary depending on land valuation changes and general rate category changes.

  • Average land value in category*: $274,333

    Average land valuation increase: $73,167

    The amount the average ratepayer paid in 2024/25 would have been:  $4,465

    The amount the average ratepayer will pay in 2025/26 will be: $4,989

    This equals a dollar increase of: $524 and a percentage increase of: 11.7 %.

    * Land values are set by the Queensland State Government.

    These are based on the average unimproved land value, however the impact on individual properties will vary depending on land valuation changes and general rate category changes.

Water Charges

Water Access Charge

Water Access Charge is a fixed charge for the infrastructure that supplies, or is able to be supplied to a person who is liable to pay the charge.

In 2025/26 the charge will remain the same at $575.

Water Consumption

Water consumption charges will be tiered to promote water conservation and to reflect the additional demands placed on the water infrastructure by higher water consumption.

 

2024/2025

2025/2026

Variance $

Variance %

Water Consumption (under 350 KL)

$1.18

 $1.25

 $0.07

6%

Water Consumption (over 350 KL)

$2.22

 $2.35

 $0.13

6%

Based on average water consumption of 164KL

$193.52

 $205.13

 $11.61

6%

Other Charges and Levies

Sewerage Utility Charge

Sewerage utility charges are levied on land located within the following schemes:

  • Port Hinchinbrook Residential
  • Innisfail Residential
  • Tully and Mission Beach Residential

For properties within the Port Hinchinbrook Residential wastewater service area, the wastewater charge in 2024/25 was $2,144.  In 2025/26 this has changed to $2,462.

This equals a dollar increase of under $318 and a percentage increase of 14.8%.

For properties within the Innisfail Residential wastewater service area, the wastewater charge in 2024/25 was $1,126.  In 2025/26 this has changed to $1,165.

This equals a dollar increase of under $39 and a percentage increase of 3.5%.

For properties within the Mission Beach and Tully Residential wastewater service area, the wastewater charge in 2024/25 was $1,058.  In 2025/26 this has changed to $1,095.

This equals a dollar increase of under $37 and a percentage increase of 3.5%.

Kerbside Charges

For dwellings within a waste collection area for both residential and non-residential (A charge), the waste collection service charge for a 140L general waste bin and a 240L recycling bin in 2024/25 was $451.

In 2025/26 it has changed to $467.

This equals a dollar increase of $16 and a percentage increase of 3.5%.

Waste Infrastructure Utility Charge

Council will apply a utility charge to all rateable properties in the Cassowary Coast to help cover the cost of managing green waste and ensuring environmental compliance at former landfill sites. These sites,  located at Attie Creek, Bells Creek, Hull Heads, Goondi Bend and Tully , require ongoing monitoring and maintenance to protect our environment and meet regulatory standards.

In 2024/25 this utility charge was $219.  In 2025/26 this utility charge is reduced to $195.  This equals a dollar decrease of -$24 or -11%.

Transport Levy

Council will levy a separate charge on all rateable land in the Region for the purpose of funding a contribution of the total cost of management and maintaining assets included within Council’s transport network.

In 2024/25 this utility charge was $178.  In 2025/26 this utility charge has changed to $184.  This equals a dollar increase of $6 or 3.4%.

Archived Budgets

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