governance · Ipswich City Council
Ipswich Council sets 12.19% overdue rates interest from 1 July
Ipswich City Council has adopted a 12.19% annual interest rate on overdue rates and charges from 1 July 2026, alongside its 2026-2027 budget, rates and policy settings.
Ipswich City Council has adopted a 12.19% annual interest rate on overdue rates and charges from 1 July 2026, at its extraordinary council meeting in the Ipswich Council Chambers on Nicholas Street.
The decision was made under section 133 of the Local Government Regulation 2012. Council also decided rates and charges, including the Emergency Management Levy, will be levied quarterly.
Mayor Teresa Harding delivered the 2026-2027 Annual Plan and Budget speech before councillors adopted the budget package. The motion includes the Budget and Long-Term Financial Forecast, forecast financial statements, the revenue statement, the revenue policy and financial sustainability measures.
For ratepayers, the cost settings are clear. Miss a payment after 1 July 2026 and interest on overdue rates and charges is 12.19% a year.
Council also adopted differential general rates, waste management utility charges, a household waste service charge of $553.00 and a non-household waste levy of $110.80.
Other adopted charges include 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.
The meeting also covered concessions. Council adopted a concession framework for eligible pensioners who own and occupy rateable land, and properties listed in Attachment 1 were granted a 100% concession of the differential general rates for the 2026-2027 financial year.
Council adopted the Debt Policy, Investment Policy and Financial Management Policy for 2026-2027, and approved a new Procurement Policy, Procurement and Contracts Manual and Annual Contracting Plan to take effect from 1 July 2026.
The new budget, rating and procurement settings apply from 1 July 2026 and will flow through to rates notices during the 2026-2027 billing cycle.
Reference minutes
Based on Ipswich City Council’s Extraordinary Council - 30 Jun 2026 9:00 AM - Budget minutes.
Key facts from the minutes
- Ipswich City Council adopted a 12.19% annual interest rate for overdue rates and charges from 1 July 2026.
- The same resolution says rates and charges, including the Emergency Management Levy, will be levied quarterly.
- Council adopted the 2026-2027 Budget and related financial statements, revenue statement, revenue policy and sustainability measures.
- A household waste service charge of $553.00 and a non-household waste levy of $110.80 were adopted.
- Council also set a $39 Rural Fire Brigades special charge, a $3 Rural Fire Brigades separate charge, a $68 Ipswich Enviroplan separate charge and an Infrastructure Separate Levy of 0.00614 cents in the dollar with a $65 minimum.
- Eligible pensioners can receive concessions, and listed properties were granted a 100% concession of differential general rates for 2026-2027.
Why it matters
- Ipswich households, businesses and property owners who miss rates deadlines will face 12.19% annual interest from 1 July 2026, while new charges and levies begin appearing on 2026-2027 rates notices.