Toowoomba rates, levies bring in $1.1m above budget

Toowoomba Regional Council’s rates and levies brought in $1.1 million more than budgeted in 2025/26, with the increase attributed to higher water consumption.

Rate arrears, including the State Emergency Management Levy, were 4.02 per cent at 30 June 2026. Council’s target was less than 5 per cent.

The result was reported in Council’s 2025/26 financial performance figures. No new rate increase was adopted in the reported decisions.

Council’s 2026 sale-of-land process began with 49 properties, with 32 still in the process when the report was prepared. The process concerns properties with rate arrears.

The rates and levy result formed part of a broader favourable financial report. Council recorded a $35.2 million operating surplus for 2025/26, while fees and charges were $18.4 million above budget.

The higher fees and charges included income from private works, development, water infrastructure, planning and commercial waste.

Council also reported $291.7 million in total unrestricted cash at 30 June, providing 11.5 months of unrestricted cash expense cover. Borrowings stood at $181.4 million.

Its Capital Works Program was 99 per cent complete and $1.6 million below budget. The Cressbrook Dam Safety Improvement Project was $71.3 million below budget because its design phase continued.

For ratepayers, the figures show stronger-than-expected revenue and arrears below Council’s stated target. They do not record any change to rates or levies in response to the variance.