Special Budget (SB) - 07 May 2026

Topics

• Gold Coast budget moves towards new rates, fees and utility pricing
  Committee endorsed key 2026-27 budget settings including differential rates, fees, concessions and utility pricing.
  These decisions influence what residents and businesses pay and signal the shape of the coming council budget.

Decisions

• Confidentiality of budget documents
  Council resolved that all budget documentation and related reports/attachments be treated as confidential under the Local Government Act 2009, unless the Chief Executive Officer decides otherwise, effective when the 2026-27 budget is adopted.
  This affects what budget information is publicly available before the annual budget is adopted.
• 2026-27 differential general rate structure
  The committee endorsed Option 8 for the differential general rate structure and recommended it be included in the 2026-27 Budget and Revenue Statement.
  This shapes how different property types may be rated in the coming financial year.
• Rate concessions for 2026-27
  Council endorsed the concessions listed in the report and noted that concessions on rates and utility charges total $64.66 million in the 2026-27 budget.
  This impacts discounts or relief available to eligible residents and ratepayers.
• Fees and charges schedule
  The draft Register of Fees & Charges 2026-27 was endorsed for inclusion in the 2026-27 budget.
  This influences the cost of council services, permits and other user charges.
• Divisional allocations endorsed
  The committee endorsed the confidential Divisional Allocations 2026-27 for inclusion in the budget.
  This may affect local works and spending priorities across council divisions.
• Water and sewerage pricing
  Water and sewerage pricing outlined in the report was endorsed for inclusion in the 2026-27 budget.
  This can affect household and business utility bills.
• Draft operating budget
  The draft 2026-27 Operating Budget was endorsed for inclusion in the budget to be adopted by Council.
  This is the main spending plan that will affect services, programs and charges.
• Release of reserves
  Council endorsed the release of reserves as presented in Table 2 of the report as part of the 2026-27 budget.
  This affects how council savings and reserve funds are used to support the budget.

Discussion

• Closed session consideration of confidential budget matters
  The committee moved into closed session to consider unconfirmed minutes and matters relating to the local government budget, specifically reserve review and acquittal issues.
  Budget deliberations were partly closed because they involved confidential financial information.
• Register of Fees & Charges division
  A division was called on the fees and charges recommendation, showing some disagreement before it was carried.
  This indicates debate about the level of service charges residents and businesses may pay.
• Budget recommendations carried with dissent
  At least one recommendation on rate structure and the operating budget recorded votes against the motion, while some other budget items were carried unanimously or by super majority.
  This shows some councillor concern about parts of the proposed budget settings.

Impacts

• Possible changes to general rates depending on property category.
• $64.66 million in concessions on rates and utility charges may support eligible ratepayers.
• Updated fees and charges may change what residents and businesses pay for council services.
• Water and sewerage pricing may affect household and business utility bills.
• Divisional spending allocations may influence local projects and works across the city.

Places

• Gold Coast (city)
  The meeting minutes are for the City of Gold Coast and the 2026-27 budget.

Next

• Council to adopt the 2026-27 budget incorporating the endorsed recommendations.
  Before the 2026-27 budget is adopted
• Confidentiality settings to continue until the Chief Executive Officer decides otherwise or the budget is adopted.
  Through the budget adoption process
• Budget documents, fees and charges, rate structure, concessions, pricing and reserves to be finalised in the adopted budget.
  Ahead of 2026-27 budget adoption

Extract

868 UNCONFIRMED MINUTES SPECIAL BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING THURSDAY 7 MAY 2026 9:00AM The meeting commenced at 9:04am City of Gold Coast Council Chambers 135 Bundall Road Surfers Paradise 868 Meeting of the Special Budget Committee Unconfirmed Minutes Thursday 7 May 2026 ORDER OF BUSINESS 1ATTENDANCE/APOLOGIES .................................................................... 3 2LEAVE OF ABSENCE ............................................................................... 3 3CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES ................................................................ 3 4CONFLICT OF INTEREST DECLARATIONS ........................................... 3 5COMMITTEE FORWARD PLANNING SCHEDULE ...........