Overview
- The council adopted the 2026–27 budget that includes an average 3.97% residential rates increase, which the lord mayor said equates to about $1.22 a week.
- The centrepiece capital commitment is a $110 million road resurfacing program aimed at busy suburban routes with the council saying more than 90% of spending will occur in Brisbane suburbs.
- Officials say the budget contains no new borrowing for the year and uses lower interest costs from debt reduction to create fiscal headroom and ease rate pressure.
- Almost $60 million is allocated over two years to Brisbane Metro operations and business-case work, but the council says any major Metro expansion before the 2032 Olympics depends on state or federal funding commitments.
- The budget introduces a new cost-allocation model that changes year-on-year comparability, raises some fees (for example desexed dog registration and parking), and increases the maximum pensioner rebate to $1,350 a year for about 40,000 people.