Brisbane City Council has released its 2025-26 Budget.
Rates and finances
The $4.1 billion budget contains a 3.87 per cent average rate increase for residential owner-occupied properties and an average of 5.22 per cent increase in rates for commercial properties.
Council will introduce new rating categories for Community Title Scheme properties within the CBD and CBD Frame from 1 October 2025, which will result in an average minimum general rate increase of $25 per quarter.
The Budget will produce a $298 million surplus and will result in council borrowings decreasing by $145 million, saving an estimated $87 million in interest payments. The Budget includes a plan to reduce net debt by over 20 per cent through to 2028-29.
Council has confirmed there will be no levy to cover the $76 million cost of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
Given the minimum and differential rating system employed by Council, we encourage members to check the extent of rate rises on each individual property.
Housing and property
Council’s 2025-26 Budget includes the introduction of new rating categories for all Community Title Schemes (CTS) properties within the CBD and CBD Frame.
The minimal general rate for these categories will increase by $25 per quarter from 1 October 2025. Existing unit and apartment owners are not affected.
Other housing and property announcements include:
- Funding to proceed with the Low to Medium Density Code Review
- Retaining 100 per cent infrastructure charge waivers for social and affordable housing delivered by community housing providers
- A $500,000 donation to Emmanuel City Mission to establish a 24/7 Homelessness Shelter
- Build-to-Rent assets will face an average rate increase of 8.76 per cent, while a 9.79 per cent average rate increase will be applied to Purpose-Built Student Accommodation buildings
Major projects
The Budget allows for new projects and improvements to existing council assets, including funding for:
- Brisbane Sustainability Agency to develop a masterplan for Mt Coot-tha, including potential eco-tourism, wilderness walking trails, overnight glamping and botanic garden lights shows
- Rehabiliation of Pine Mountain Quarry around Council’s Depot for koala habitat and open space
- Finalising the Wynnum, Manly and Lota Foreshores Masterplan
- Progressing the Brighton Foreshore upgrade
- Expansion of the Queen Street Mall along Albert Street in conjunction with Cross River Rail
- City-wide rollout of green bins to eligible houses
- A two-year Olympic and Paralympic Corridor Tree Planting Program at a cost of $1.9 million
Transport and infrastructure
The Budget includes a combined $2.3 billion in funding for transport and infrastructure, such as:
- $1 billion to upgrade Beams Road
- Intersection upgrade at Azalea Street, Pine Road and Archerfield Road in Inala
- $50 million to develop a business case into the expansion of the Brisbane Metro north to Carseldine, south to Springwood and east to Capalaba, and the Brisbane Airport.
- $49.1 million for footpaths and bike paths
- A total of $18 million for the Story Bridge over the next twelve months, including $6.9 million to replace the deck and reopen one footpath by 2026, $6 million for maintenance and $5 million for a Story Bridge businesse case
Property Council view
While the Property Council welcomes investment in new and improved assets to improve Brisbane’s vibrancy, we are concerned by the introduction of new rating categories for CBD and CBD Frame apartments.
It is alarming to see yet another steep rate increase for Build-to-Rent and Purpose-Built Student Accommodation assets for the third consecutive year.
In our council budget submission, we specifically highlighted the potential impact of increasing rates for these important specialist housing types.
Useful links
You can read our budget submission to Brisbane City Council here.
Council’s Budget document is available here.