funding · City of Gold Coast
Gold Coast pushes for 12-month pause on further state waste levy increases
The city’s Special Budget Committee has recommended the Mayor write to the Queensland Government seeking a halt to further State Waste Disposal Levy increases, citing fuel price pressures and cost-of-living impacts.
Gold Coast’s Special Budget Committee has backed a push to pause any further increases to the State Waste Disposal Levy for 12 months, as councillors continue work on the city’s 2026-27 budget.
In unconfirmed minutes from the 30 March meeting, the committee recommended that the Mayor write to the Queensland Government asking for the pause because of ongoing fuel price pressures and cost-of-living impacts. The levy issue was considered alongside confidential budget items on rates, waste services and major projects.
For residents and ratepayers, the move is aimed at limiting further cost pressure linked to waste charges, if the state agrees. The same meeting also endorsed a confidential waste financial option for inclusion in the 2026-27 budget, although the detailed option was not released publicly.
The committee’s broader budget work remained largely behind closed doors. It recommended that draft 2026-27 budget documents stay confidential until the budget is adopted, unless the chief executive officer decides otherwise. Councillors also noted there are no proposed changes to the 2025-26 adopted differential general rates, while saying the 2025-26 retirement village rating structure would be considered for continuation into 2026-27.
A further update on the 2026-27 general rates and separate charges strategy is due to return to the next Special Budget Committee meeting on 22 April. The draft four-year capital expenditure program was deferred at this meeting.
The committee also supported the 2032 Games Infrastructure Plan as a planning and coordination framework. Under that work, the Pizzey Park Action Sports Hub and the Damian Leeding Memorial Park and Regatta Waters Lake upgrade are to progress to reports and funding consideration as part of 2026-27 budget deliberations, while other legacy projects are to be considered through future annual budgets.
Reference minutes
Based on the City of Gold Coast Special Budget Committee meeting of 30 March 2026 and its public unconfirmed minutes.
Key facts from the minutes
- On 30 March 2026, the City of Gold Coast Special Budget Committee recommended that the Mayor write to the Queensland Government seeking a 12-month pause on further State Waste Disposal Levy increases.
- The stated reasons in the meeting material were fuel price pressures and cost-of-living impacts.
- The committee endorsed a confidential waste financial option, identified as Option 3 of Addendum 1, for inclusion in the 2026-27 budget.
- Draft 2026-27 budget documents were recommended to remain confidential until budget adoption unless the chief executive officer decides otherwise.
- The committee noted there are no proposed changes to the 2025-26 adopted differential general rates and said the 2025-26 retirement village rating structure would be considered for continuation into 2026-27.
- A further update on general rates and separate charges is scheduled for the 22 April 2026 Special Budget Committee meeting.
Why it matters
- The committee is linking waste levy increases to local cost pressures and asking the state for a pause while the city finalises its next budget. That has potential implications for council waste costs and what ratepayers may ultimately face.