Council adopts its 2025-2026 Budget

Scenic Rim Mayor Tom Sharp (right) with Councillors (from left) Amanda Hay, Kerri Cryer, Stephen Moriarty, Jennifer Sanders and Deputy Mayor Duncan McInnes following the adoption of the 2025-2026 Budget. Councillor Marshall Chalk joined the meeting via vi

Scenic Rim's $119.6 million 2025-2026 Budget has attempted to take in to account cost of living pressures faced by residents and local businesses as well as Council's challenges in providing services and infrastructure in challenging economic conditions.

Adopted at today's Special Meeting, the Budget includes a $29.1 million capital works program as part of its investment in services and infrastructure to support the growth and liveability of Scenic Rim communities.

Scenic Rim Mayor Tom Sharp said the Budget reflected the current economic climate and current management practices of Council.

"Cognisant of the financial pressures being experienced by members of our community, Council has aimed to keep rate rises to a minimum with an average increase of 4.5 per cent in the General Rates," he said.

"Additionally, there has been an increase of $27 to the infrastructure charge, equating to 4.5 per cent, and the introduction of a $50 per annum charge which will enhance environmental management by raising $1.05 million each year.

"For principal place of residence properties on the minimum general rate, the increase equates to just $61 a year."

Representing 64 per cent of Scenic Rim ratepayers, residential principal place of residence properties will see an average increase of 4.5 per cent. Rates for rural principal place of residence properties, representing seven per cent of Scenic Rim ratepayers, will also see an average increase of 4.5 per cent.

The 2025-2026 Budget provides for total capital spending of $29.1 million, with a focus on roadworks which have been allocated $14.1 million.

This includes Australian and Queensland Government capital grants funding of $4.5 million.

"Through its advocacy, Council will continue to seek to leverage grant funding and, wherever possible, enter into partnerships with the state and federal governments to obtain grants to support the delivery of services and infrastructure," Cr Sharp said.

In addition to cost of living pressures faced by ratepayers, the 2025-2026 Budget has been developed against a background of Council's increasing costs of fuel, energy, materials and plant purchases.

The renewal and upgrade of community facilities across the region are also supported with $2.7 million in the 2025-2026 Budget.

Council's waste charges have increased by some nine per cent due to an increase in the State Waste Disposal Levy from $115 to $125 per tonne and a reduction in the Queensland Government's domestic reimbursement of the State Waste Disposal Levy from 85 per cent to 70 per cent.

To help address these challenges, Council is working to identify opportunities to reduce costs across the organisation going forward.

Council's investment of $5.5 million over the next three years on upgrades to Information and Communication Technology (ICT) systems is also aimed at enhancing its efficiency and service delivery to ratepayers.

Cr Sharp said community input had once again been valuable and we saw some innovative ideas put forward that will contribute to community projects outside of budget constraints going forward.

"I wish to especially acknowledge the contribution of residents and ratepayers who attended the Beaudesert, Boonah and Tamborine Mountain budget consultation meetings during May this year, as well as those who made written submissions in response to the Draft Budget, he said.

"The challenges of bringing to the Scenic Rim the change that the people of this region voted for will take the full term of this Council and, while there will be no easy solutions, it is the undertaking of Councillors to gain a clear picture of the services provided to the community with the intention of driving out waste, improving productivity and increasing efficiency.

"This is a budget focused on the basics of services and infrastructure to be provided to ratepayers while keeping our region moving forward," Cr Sharp said.

The 2025-2026 Budget document can be viewed here