23/06/2026
Delivering everyday services valued by the community while minimizing costs for the average household has been the key focus of this year's Budget.
While this year’s land valuations increased an average of 37 percent across the shire, the Minimum General Rates rise in this year’s budget has been kept to a total of 6.9 percent.
This means that, the majority of owner-occupier ratepayers can expect a rise of $2.58 per week, or $134.10 over this year.
We’ve been mindful of cost-of-living pressures faced by households.
This is why the on-time rates payment discount of five percent, or $77 for the majority on the minimum rate, has been retained and also the full pensioner rates rebate, worth up to $230 for eligible property owners.
Through all this, our priority has been to work to meet the expectations of our community, a community who want their Council to provide good quality services and well-maintained assets while keeping costs as low as possible for the average ratepayer.
We’ve put a freeze on most levies, apart from a $5.55 increase in the Sustainable Transport levy to continue exploring more transport options.
The bulk of expenditure goes towards a $56 million Capital Works program plus $29 million in disaster recovery work in the hinterland.
Noosa’s waste bin collection charge remains among the lowest when benchmarked against other Queensland councils.
The waste charge will increase by 84 cents a week per residential property ($44 a year) to reflect rising costs of household waste collections and the state waste levy plus the need to invest in improving recycling options, and safety at the landfill site
A $56 million Capital Works Budget in 2026–27 will deliver a targeted program to maintain and improve the essential assets, infrastructure and services that support our shire.
With more than 60 projects across coastal and hinterland communities, there’s a strong focus on renewing ageing infrastructure, enhancing transport and recreational networks, protecting the natural environment, all supporting a connected and resilient Noosa community.
The scale of this year’s capital budget reflects both community need and the realities of delivering infrastructure in a tough economic climate.
Rising construction costs, supply chain pressures and a competitive contractor market continue to challenge councils Australia-wide.
Across the shire, more than $8 million has been allocated to major bridge renewals in Tewantin and Munna Point Bridge in Noosa Heads.
The Doonella Lake Bridge renewal, which starts next month, is jointly funded by the Australian Government and will extend the life of this vital transport link by about 50 years.
We’ve committed over $10 million to shire wide road reseals, heavy patching and gravel road network programs.
This includes $5.9 million for the annual road reseal program, $1.5 million for targeted safety upgrades on priority sections of unsealed roads and $511,000 to re-lay our gravel roads as part of established scheduled road grading program.
These investments help us better prioritise work across our 187‑kilometre unsealed network.
Waste infrastructure receives nearly $15 million toward improving resource recovery and recycling infrastructure. Subject to securing grant funding, a significant allocation has been set aside for a composting facility for the shire.
Safety and meeting government waste regulations at the Noosa Resource Recovery Centre and landfill is also high on the capital works program.
Recreational and community facilities benefit, with over $7 million directed toward upgrades at the Noosa Aquatic Centre, improvements to pathways and active transport infrastructure through the Accelerated Walking and Cycling Program and upgrades to the Cooroy Sports Complex.
Every project is more expensive to build due to global market volatility and rising costs of materials.
The $13 million in grants secured from the state and federal government help us deliver a number of projects in this budget and reduce the burden on ratepayers.
In addition to these projects, more than $29 million in disaster repair works is scheduled, fully funded through the state and federal disaster reconstruction program.
Capital Works Program highlights:
$8.8 million – Expansion of the Noosa Resource Recovery Centre
$7.8 million - Doonella Bridge renewal
$5.9 million – Road reseal program
$5.5 million – Doonan Landfill site upgrades
$3.44 million – Stormwater drainage improvements across the shire
$2.8 million – Pathway and boardwalk projects across the shire
$2.49 million – Cooroy Sports Complex upgrade
$1.61 million – road patching across the shire
$1.5 million – Noosa Aquatic Centre pools filtration system upgrade
$647,700 – Kingfisher Drive, Peregian, playground renewal
$635,000 – Changing Places Facility, Gympie Terrace, Noosaville
$486,831 – Living Foreshores Program, Hilton Esplanade
$269,000 – Beach access renewals
$238,620 – Noosa Leisure Centre renewals
$210,200 – Renewal of rock armour around Noosa River, Noosaville
