Brisbane's 2025–26 budget revealed: rate hikes, service fee rises and major infrastructure plans

7NEWS

18-06-2025

Brisbane ratepayers will pay more in the coming financial year, but Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner insists it remains the cheapest council in southeast Queensland.
'We are the cheapest. We are staying the cheapest. We are committed to staying the cheapest,' he said.
'If you're living in Logan, Redlands, Ipswich, Moreton Bay — you're already paying hundreds more than what people in Brisbane are paying.'
The latest rate hikes come with a citywide green bin rollout and millions in Story Bridge repairs.
The average rates bill will rise by around $100, with an additional $49 waste charge for households without a green bin.
Of that, $33 is blamed on the state government's landfill levy — what Schrinner calls 'a straight tax grab.'
'We're trying to avoid the state government's waste levy, which is their bin tax,' he said.
'Effectively, that has pushed up the bin charge by $33 alone this year.'
Standalone homes will automatically receive a green waste bin unless they opt out.
They will be rolled out from August through to December.
Schrinner says it will reduce landfill, boost recycling, and ultimately save residents money long-term.
Footpath fix and federal funding fight
The Council will also spend $18 million on the ageing Story Bridge, including $6.9 million to replace the closed footpath, which is due to reopen by the end of the year.
Schrinner is calling on the federal and state governments to contribute, citing a recent $628 million federal investment in a bridge in Hobart.
'All we're asking for is a similar deal to what people in Tasmania would get,' he said.
'It was 80 per cent funded by the federal government and 20 per cent funded by the Tasmanian Government.'
'This is not a local road.
'It is used by 42 per cent of people from outside of Brisbane every day, which means people from Logan, Redlands, Ipswich, Moreton Bay are using the Story Bridge each and every day.
'This is an asset that serves a national transport purpose.'
Work is already underway to replace the closed Story Bridge footpath with the manufacturing of new decking expected to take up to 17 weeks, Schrinner revealed.
Installation will then begin, with much of the work done overnight to minimise disruption to commuters and traffic.
'Money is not the issue for the footpath here,' Schrinner said.
'We've allocated all of the money that is required to do this job… we're going to be working as fast as we can.'
Schrinner confirmed at least one footpath will be reopened by the end of the year,
Inner-city units, fees and fairness
Inner-city unit owners will also feel the change, with a rates increase aimed at closing the gap between apartments and suburban homes.
'Ninety per cent of all units across Brisbane are only paying the minimum rate — about $228 a quarter,' Schrinner said.
From October 1 people who buy units will pay up to $100 per year more.
'This tries to rectify that gap to make sure that everyone's paying their fair share.'
The average rates bill across the city will rise by 3.87 per cent, though the exact increase for unit owners will depend on individual property values and location.
Fees for services including pet registration and home improvements will also rise by about 4 per cent, adding further pressure to family budgets.
But Schrinner insists the increases are modest compared to neighbouring councils.
'We've worked hard to keep the costs down.'
Despite a challenging economic environment, Schrinner promised the Council will reduce debt by more than 20 per cent over four years — from $3.6 billion to $2.9 billion — while still investing in core services.
'Roads, rates, rubbish — and now rapid transit,' he said.
'This is a responsible budget. We're spending what we can afford, and not putting unnecessary costs on Brisbane households.'