Extraordinary Council - 30 Jun 2026 9:00 AM - Budget

Topics

• Ipswich Council adopts 2026-2027 Budget and rates
  Annual budget locks in the rates path, spending priorities and financial settings for the new year.
  Determines what residents and businesses pay and how Council will fund services and projects.
• Household waste charge set at $553 and non-household levy at $110.80
  Council confirmed the annual waste charges that will flow through to rates notices.
  A direct cost change for households and businesses using Council waste services.
• New rates levies add Rural Fire, Enviroplan and infrastructure charges
  Council added multiple separate charges to fund rural fire services, environmental programs and infrastructure.
  These extra levies increase rates notices and earmark funding for specific services.

Decisions

• Adopted the 2026-2027 Budget
  Council adopted the 2026-2027 Budget and incorporated the Budget and Long-Term Financial Forecast, forecast financial statements, revenue statement, revenue policy and financial sustainability measures.
  Sets the financial basis for Council services, projects, rates and charges for 2026-2027.
• Set differential general rates and rating categories
  Council resolved to levy differential general rates on rateable land, adopt the rating categories, and use three-year averaged land values for the 2026-2027 financial year.
  Affects how much property owners pay and how properties are classified for rating purposes.
• Adopted waste management and other charges
  Council decided to levy waste management utility charges, including a household waste service charge of $553.00 and a non-household waste levy of $110.80.
  Directly affects household and business waste service costs.
• Set levies and separate charges
  Council adopted a $39 per annum Rural Fire Brigades special charge, a $3 per annum Rural Fire Brigades separate charge, a $68 per annum Ipswich Enviroplan separate charge, and an Infrastructure Separate Levy of 0.00614 cents in the dollar with a minimum of $65 per annum.
  These charges will appear on rates notices and affect annual bills.
• Approved payment, discount and interest arrangements
  Council resolved that rates and charges, including the Emergency Management Levy, will be levied quarterly, that discounts may apply for early payment, and that overdue rates will attract interest at 12.19% per annum from 1 July 2026.
  Affects when residents must pay and the cost of overdue accounts.
• Granted rating concessions and pensioner concessions
  Council adopted a concession framework for eligible pensioners and granted a 100% concession of differential general rates for properties listed in Attachment 1.
  Provides relief for eligible ratepayers and specific properties approved under the concession criteria.
• Adopted financial management policies
  Council adopted the Debt Policy, Investment Policy and Financial Management Policy for 2026-2027.
  Sets Council rules for borrowing, investments and financial control, which can affect service delivery and risk management.
• Adopted procurement policy and contracting documents
  Council adopted the Procurement Policy, Procurement and Contracts Manual, and Annual Contracting Plan effective from 1 July 2026.
  Affects how Council buys goods and services and how local suppliers and contractors can work with Council.
• Adopted the Annual Plan 2026-2027
  Council adopted the Annual Plan 2026-2027, including the Annual Operational Plan and Capital Works Program, while the City Annual Budget 2026-2027 was handled in a separate report.
  Outlines Council’s service priorities and capital works program for the year.

Discussion

• Mayor’s 2026-2027 Budget speech
  Mayor Teresa Harding delivered the annual budget speech to introduce the 2026-2027 Budget and plan.
  Gives residents the political and financial context for the year’s rates and spending decisions.
• Rating structure and category rules
  Council adopted detailed rating categories, including residential, business, industrial, extractive and retail categories, and delegated category identification to the CEO.
  Determines which rates category applies to each property.
• Quarterly billing and instalment settings
  Council set the approach for levying rates and charges quarterly and allowed instalment payment arrangements.
  Affects household and business cash flow and bill timing.
• Rural Fire Brigades funding arrangements
  Council adopted both a special charge plan and a separate charge for Rural Fire Brigades Services.
  Supports rural fire services and adds identifiable items to rates notices.
• Ipswich Enviroplan charge
  Council set a $68 per annum separate charge for the Ipswich Enviroplan.
  Funds environmental initiatives through the rates system.
• Infrastructure Separate Levy
  Council adopted a separate infrastructure levy of 0.00614 cents in the dollar with a $65 minimum annual charge.
  Adds a dedicated infrastructure cost to some ratepayer bills.
• Procurement and contracting governance
  Council’s procurement documents were adopted to take effect from 1 July 2026.
  Important for businesses seeking Council work and for transparency in buying decisions.

Impacts

• Higher or changed rates bills for property owners from 1 July 2026.
• Waste service charges will be $553.00 for household waste and $110.80 for non-household waste levy as adopted.
• Eligible pensioners and some listed properties may receive concessions, including a 100% differential general rates concession for approved properties.
• Overdue rates and charges will attract 12.19% annual interest from 1 July 2026.
• Rural fire, Enviroplan and infrastructure levies will appear as separate items on rates notices.
• Council spending priorities and capital works for 2026-2027 are now formally set.

Places

• Ipswich City Council area (local government area)
  All adopted rates, charges, levies, budget and procurement decisions apply across the council area.
• Ipswich (city)
  Council’s budget, annual plan and rates decisions affect residents and businesses across Ipswich.
• Brookwater (suburb)
  Explicitly referenced in the rating category descriptions for residential land.

Next

• Implement the 2026-2027 Budget, rates, charges and levies from 1 July 2026
  From 1 July 2026
• Issue rates notices reflecting the adopted differential rates, levies and concessions
  During 2026-2027 billing cycle
• Apply the new Procurement Policy, Procurement and Contracts Manual and Annual Contracting Plan
  From 1 July 2026
• Update the Annual Plan to incorporate core business information and minor administrative changes
  Post-adoption, before publication
• Use the adopted concession and rating category rules to assess eligible properties
  Ongoing in 2026-2027

Extract

of 30 UNCONFIRMED MINUTES OF COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING 30 JUNE 2026 Held in the Council Chambers, Administration Building 1 Nicholas Street, Ipswich The meeting commenced at 9.00 am 1. ATTENDANCE AT COMMENCEMENT Mayor Teresa Harding (Chairperson); Councillors Jacob Madsen, Pye Augustine, Deputy Mayor Nicole Jonic, Paul Tully, Marnie Doyle, Andrew Antoniolli, David Martin and Jim Madden 2. WELCOME TO COUNTRY OR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY Mayor Teresa Harding delivered the Acknowledgement of Country 3. OPENING PRAYER Mayor Teresa Harding invited Councillor David Martin to deliver the Opening Prayer 4. APOLOGIES AND LEAVE OF ABSENCE Nil At 9.02 am Deputy Mayor Nicole Jonic arrived at the meeting...