2026/27 BUDGET DELIVERS MORE TRANSPARENCY & LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY

Published on 14 July 2026

Media release

At a Special Council meeting today, Council formally adopted its 2026/27 Budget, keeping rate increases below CPI at just 4% and represents a responsible and strategically aligned financial plan to balance current service delivery with long-term sustainability.

This year’s budget has a total operating revenue of $42.517M against an operating expenditure of $44.783M (includes $10.857M depreciation) with approximately $26.256M of revenue coming from grant and external funding and $13.729M from rates and utility charges.

Although there is a net operating deficit of approximately $2.266M, after inclusion of capital revenue of approximately $5.412M, the overall financial position improves to a net surplus result of $3.146M. During 2026/27, Council will deliver $19.956M in Capital Projects, $7.052M in Operational Projects with $7.092M set to be invested on the road network.

Mayor Samantha O’Toole stated that this budget strikes the right balance of delivering ongoing services for our residents, while keeping rate increases as low as possible.

“This year’s budget aligns with our 32 services, which clearly outline Council’s revenue and expenditure in each category of service,” said Mayor O’Toole.

“The Service Catalogue lists all relevant services provided by Council under each of its four corporate areas of the Office of the CEO, Finance & Corporate Services, Community & Environment Services and Infrastructure Services.

“The revenue and expenditure in the Service Catalogue allows ratepayers to quickly and easily identify just how much Council is investing in each category of service delivery and creates an improved level of transparency over Council’s ongoing operations.

“While financial challenges remain, such as grant dependency and cost escalations, Council has taken measured steps to minimise impacts on ratepayers while continuing to invest in essential infrastructure and services.

“It is clear that elevated fuel prices are causing impacts right throughout our national economy and Council is not immune from these pressures, but Council has acted decisively to install a new bulk fuel supply and change work travel procedures to limit these cost impacts.

“This is not the only example of Council acting to limit impacts to its operating expenditure and I thank the Council team for continually aiming to keep Council costs as low as possible.

“Another area that is weighing heavily on our annual budget is the ever-increasing cost related to waste and recycling, which have been exponentially increasing year-on-year.

“The increase in waste and recycling costs has resulted in the need for a 15% increase in our waste charges, which Council has offset by placing no increases to water and wastewater charges in order to keep rates and utilities increases to below CPI at 4%.

“If costs related to waste and recycling continue on the same upward trajectory in the coming years without any material support through grant opportunities, Council will need to undertake a detailed assessment of how these rising costs can be addressed.”

Council remains committed to transparency in financial planning and reporting and will report on the progress of the budget on a monthly basis and monitor the delivery of the 2026/27 Operational Plan on a quarterly basis. The full 2026/27 Budget papers can be viewed at: www.balonne.qld.gov.au/About-Council/Publications-Media/Budget-Fees-and-Charges

BUDGET SNAPSHOT

  • $42.517M – Total Operating Revenue
  • $5.412M – Capital Revenue
  • $44.783M – Operating Expenditure (includes $10.857M depreciation of assets to fund future replacement)
  • $2.266M - Operating Deficit $3.146M - Net Surplus
  • 4% increase in rates and utilities (after discount)
  • 0% increase for water and sewerage and a 15% increase for waste charges
  • $2.53 per week average increase for rates and utilities
  • $6.5M - Road Capital – To deliver capital road projects
  • $1.9M – Road Maintenance – Maintaining the Shire’s 2,415km Council road and 22 bridge network (excluding capital)
  • $19.956M Capital Works Program
  • $515k1.4M –Capital Renewal Program – New and upgrade projects to urban streets, including pathways and kerb and channel.
  • $4.4M – Utilities (operations) – Delivering water, wastewater and waste services (excluding capital)
  • $3.5M –Water Infrastructure – renewal, upgrade and new water infrastructure in the Shire
  • $309k – Sewer Infrastructure – renewal, upgrade and new infrastructure for the sewer network
  • $751k – Community – Developing and supporting youth services, indigenous support, community wellbeing including through grant programs, concessions, sponsorships and donations.
  • $716k – Tourism– to promote and attract more tourism to the Shire.
  • $517k - Economic Development – To strengthen and grow the local economy and support the local small business and agribusiness sectors.
  • $198k – Airport Operations – Deliver modern facilities for the travelling public
  • $2.0M – Rural Services & Environment – to manage environment and compliance in the Shire
  • $5.0M – Disaster Management, Recovery & Resilience – to better equip our Shire to deal with natural disasters
  • $3.0M – Industrial Development
  • $4.0M – Plant & Equipment – Capital renewal, upgrade and new plant and equipment to service the needs of the Shire.

KEY PROJECT INVESTMENTS

  • St George Cemetery Expansion
  • Balonne Emergency Mobile Generators
  • St George Landfill - Transfer Station
  • Flood Recovery Works Program
  • Jakelwar-Goodooga Road North Final Sealing
  • Jakelwar-Goodooga Road South Upgrades
  • Sewerage Treatment Plant Upgrades – Bollon & Dirranbandi
  • Industrial Development – St George
  • Thallon SES Shed
  • St George Aerodrome Upgrades and Fencing Replacement
  • Bollon Showground Perimeter Fence
  • Strategic Infrastructure Plan
  • Thallon Landfill Masterplan
  • Ongoing Workforce Development Role
  • Henry Street Bore Relocation
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