A $202m local council budget will see significant funds set aside for roads, bridges and facilities but it will come at an increased cost for ratepayers.
Noosa Council’s 2025-26 budget, adopted on Monday, comprises a rate increase of 6.7 per cent on all levies and charges.
The budget balances an extra $2.35 a week on residential rates, with short-term accommodation (STA) properties set to make up the difference.
This means the average residential ratepayer will pay $2015.50 per year compared to $1889 in the 2024-25 budget.
This is a jump of $126.50 per household, or $122.05 after a five per cent discount.
Mayor Frank Wilkie said minimising cost-of-living increases on households and delivering on the community desire for quality services were key priorities was “challenging”.
“Noosa, like many local governments, has been hit hard by price increases for the materials, wages and services needed to deliver core business to the community,” Cr Wilkie said.
“We managed to limit rates rises for most residential ratepayers by lifting the rate in the dollar for short-term accommodation (STA) properties.
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“We kept both residential and STA rates in the dollar to levels that are still below that of larger councils in the region, which tend to have higher rates across all categories.
“This will make sure visitors contribute to the upkeep of the shire and the maintenance of public amenities.”
Cr Wilkie said annual increases allowed the Council to build the infrastructure and maintain critical services the community needed.
“We put a freeze on most levies, apart from a $5 increase in the environment levy and are continuing to work with volunteer groups like Zero Emissions Noosa and the Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation, who do exceptional work for the community.”
Cr Wilkie said full pensioner rebates of a maximum of $230 are available for eligible property owners, while residents who pay early will also receive a discount.
“We are also retaining the 5 per cent early rates payment discount, which is a $72.55 saving for most ratepayers,” Cr Wilkie said.
“These measures help those who need it most.”
The budget includes a $51 million Capital Works program that will support upgrades to Noosa Aquatic Centre, the Leisure Centre and The J entertainment facility.
The Capital Works program includes $17.4 million for roads, bridges and transport infrastructure and $10.3 million for resource recovery and waste management.
A further $5.6 million would be dedicated to community facilities and sports grounds, $6.3m for pathways, trail networks, parks, playgrounds and public amenities and $4.4m for stormwater, bio basin and waterways.
Cr Wilkie said the cost to manage Noosa’s waste continued to rise.
“The waste charge is now $438 per ratepayer which helps continue investment in resource recovery, improve recycling rates and covers costs of increased contract and labour costs,” he said.
“The state-imposed waste levy continues to increase, resulting in a jump of about $22 per tonne for residents.”
Cr Wilkie said the budget maintained “quality services” and anticipated an operating surplus of $77,000 to cement the Council’s “financial sustainability”.
