Council's Budget and rates processes explained

Lockyer Valley Regional Council’s 2026-27 Budget will be realistic and in line with our community’s actual needs, while at the same time allowing sufficient resources to support our growing community, Council’s Deputy Mayor and Finance Portfolio Councillor Chris Wilson says.

“There is often a lot of confusion surrounding Budget time and how Council determines what rate rise is necessary.

“Budgets determine funding for everyday services such as maintaining local parks and reserves, playgrounds, libraries, local infrastructure, and waste collection, as well as looking ahead to new projects and long-term improvements.

“In a snapshot, the Budget process shapes how councils invest in their communities.

“Councils plan their budgets carefully to balance community needs with financial sustainability and are guided by long-term financial plans and asset management plans.

“We look at all the costs, population changes and local needs and decide which services and projects will be delivered in the coming year.

“Once this is finalised, it then determines how much revenue is required. We also consider other income sources such as grants, before determining how much needs to be raised through rates.

“Our goal is always to keep any rate increases to the absolute minimum required to provide as many of the services the community expects as are reasonable.

“The Queensland Government requires all councils to apply a “rate in the dollar” approach based on land valuations.

“Council uses different “rates in the dollar” for different land types to make the final outcome as fair and equitable for all as is practical so that the outcome generates the amount of funding that is needed for the financial year.

“Council’s approach ensures that a sharp rise in land valuations doesn’t automatically mean a sharp rise in rates and, in fact, Council makes a concerted effort to keep rate rises as low and as even as possible.

“Councils may consider increasing rates if there is a need for new infrastructure, to expand services or respond to rising costs, like fuel prices being driven by the Iranian conflict or increased cost of road infrastructure materials.

“At the end of the day we’re just like a household – navigating pressures on costs and income and regularly looking at spending and our overall budget, while also planning to keep services affordable,” Cr Wilson said.

Cr Wilson said the 2026-27 Budget, scheduled to be handed down on 20 July, would focus on what’s important.

“Every community has different needs, and we will continue to look at what our priorities are in line with rising costs, changes to our population and long-term planning goals,” he said.