Council Delivers $114M Budget with Major Road Investment
Lockyer Valley Regional Council’s 2025-26 Budget is focused on delivering vital community services, including a significant investment in roadworks, while also maintaining strong, sustainable financial management.
In a snapshot, the $114.02M Budget provides a $29.76M Capital program and $84.26M in Operational expenditure.
When handing down the Budget today, Mayor Tanya Milligan said it demonstrated Council’s strong commitment to invest even more into repairing and upgrading our road network.
“This is by far one of the most raised concerns from residents, and we want them to know we hear what they’re saying.
“Another severe weather event this financial year means there is still a considerable amount of road repairs to complete, and we’re committing a significant portion of the Budget to more routine road maintenance, resealing and renewal projects.
“Unfortunately, historic underfunding from other levels of government and more frequent natural disasters means the conditions of some roads do suffer as a result.
“Council’s combined investment of $45.74M is a clear demonstration of our commitment to restoring and upgrading our road network as quickly as we can, with a budget that minimises impacts on the community,” Mayor Milligan said.
“We understand the cost-of-living challenges many households are facing, and we’ve worked hard to keep rate increases as low as possible; while still ensuring we provide our core services.
“As a result, we have been able to keep the general rate increase to 3.56 per cent.
“Combined with levies, the average residential owner-occupied property will see an increase of $110 per year, around $2.10 per week, to meet the rising cost of providing those respective services,” Mayor Milligan said.
Council’s $29.76M Capital program will fund 87 projects, including $19.88M on renewal Works, $4.95M on new road network projects and $4.93M on infrastructure upgrades.
Meanwhile, the $84.26M Operational Budget includes a further $21.62M on the road and infrastructure related assets, and $18.42M on community facilities, parks and waste management.
Deputy Mayor and Finance Portfolio Councillor Chris Wilson said this year’s Budget would maximise the number of services Council could provide to the community, while maintaining responsible and sustainable financial management.
“Council’s average rate increase for the past four years is 3.7 per cent, compared to the average CPI of 4.5 per cent.
“This demonstrates our genuine long-term commitment and concerted effort to find the balance between minimising impacts on families, while delivering the growing range of services the community expects.
“We are proud to once again maintain a moderate rate rise and to continue to operate within our means in this challenging financial environment.
“Like our previous Budgets, our focus is on sustainable management of the region’s current assets and ensuring they are maintained and upgraded when necessary.
“We are committed to delivering our core business and delivering a balanced approach between Council’s financial sustainability and community expectations,” Cr Wilson said.
Mayor Milligan said Council remained incredibly thankful for the grants received from other levels of government and acknowledged the vital role grants play in ensuring our community’s wellbeing – but said current funding models were insufficient and needed increasing.
For further information, visit www.lockyervalley.qld.gov.au/budget or contact Council on 1300 005 872.
