Special Meeting of Council - 30 June 2026

Topics

• Council locks in 7.34% change in rates and utility charges for 2026/27
  Ratepayers face a higher overall levy as council adopts its 2026/27 budget charges package.
  Directly affects household and business bills across the region.
• Pensioner water rebate of $70 a year confirmed
  Eligible pensioners with council water access will keep a rebate on the water infrastructure charge.
  Provides targeted cost relief for vulnerable residents.
• Public transport levy of $43.58 to appear on all rate notices
  Council continues a dedicated charge to help fund its transport strategy.
  Adds a region-wide levy to property bills.

Decisions

• 2026/27 Operational Plan adopted
  Council adopted the Operational Plan 2026/27, setting out the year’s actions, projects and services for implementing the Corporate Plan within the adopted budget.
  Sets the delivery program for council services, projects and priorities for the year ahead.
• Budget and revenue framework adopted in confidential session
  Council adopted the 2026/27 budget and revenue statement package, including financial statements, long-term forecast and revenue policy materials.
  Determines how council will fund services, infrastructure and operating costs in 2026/27.
• Overall rates and utility charges change set at 7.34%
  Council resolved that the total change in rates and utility charges budgeted to be levied for 2026/27, compared with 2025/26, is 7.34% excluding discounts and rebates.
  Affects the amount many ratepayers will pay in the next financial year.
• 5% discount maintained for prompt payment on selected charges
  Council resolved to offer a 5% discount on differential general rates, sewerage utility charges and water infrastructure charges for eligible categories, provided bills are paid within 33 days and other conditions are met.
  Provides a saving for households and businesses that pay rates on time.
• Pensioner water infrastructure rebate confirmed
  Council granted a $70.00 per annum rebate of the water infrastructure charge to eligible pensioners with access to any Toowoomba Regional Council water supply.
  Direct financial relief for eligible pensioners on council water-related charges.
• Rates and charges levied for 2026/27
  Council made and levied differential general rates, sewerage utility charges, water utility charges, waste management charges and associated levies for the 2026/27 financial year.
  Sets the annual charges payable by property owners and service users across the region.
• Public Transport Levy set at $43.58 per assessment
  Council imposed a separate Public Transport Levy of $43.58 per rateable assessment to support the Sustainable Transport Strategy 2023.
  Adds a dedicated charge to rate notices across the region.
• Rural Fire Equipment Levy set at $35.00
  Council made a Rural Fire Equipment Levy of $35.00 on rateable land that also attracts a Class E Emergency Management Levy.
  Adds a fixed charge to fund rural fire equipment and related preparedness.
• Gates and Grids Permit Renewal Levy set at $193.14
  Council set a Gates and Grids Permit Renewal Levy of $193.14 per gate or grid structure to cover administration and compliance costs.
  Affects rural property owners and landholders with gates or grids.
• Library Related Activities Levy kept for Grand Central Shopping Centre
  Council levied $432,760.70 on Grand Central Shopping Centre for library related activities under a special charge agreement with QIC Limited.
  Maintains a site-specific charge linked to library-related community funding.
• Debt Policy adopted
  Council adopted its Debt Policy for 2026/27.
  Guides how council borrows and manages debt, influencing future rates and capital spending.
• Procurement Policy adopted
  Council adopted its Procurement Policy for 2026/27.
  Sets purchasing rules that affect local suppliers, contractors and council buying practices.
• Financial Sustainability Strategy 2026/27 adopted
  Council adopted the Financial Sustainability Strategy 2026/27, which outlines long-term financial targets, risks and management approaches.
  Shapes future spending, asset renewals, borrowing and financial resilience.

Discussion

• Revenue policy and rating principles
  Council reviewed and adopted revenue principles for levying rates, charges and concessions, including cost recovery, user pays and infrastructure funding settings.
  Influences how council allocates costs between ratepayers, users and developers.
• Differential rating and rate capping
  Council confirmed differential general rating categories and said it would limit increases for certain land categories to mitigate sharp rate rises.
  May soften rate increases for some properties while shifting impacts elsewhere.
• Water utility charging model
  Council set water utility charges based on an annual infrastructure charge and consumption-based tiers for different water supply arrangements.
  Affects water bills for households and businesses connected to council water services.
• Sewerage utility charges
  Council adopted sewerage charges applying to connected and partly connected lands, including charges for W.C. pedestals, CED sewerage and grinder units.
  Affects sewerage bills for connected properties and some non-connected lands in service areas.
• Waste management utility charges
  Council adopted waste service charges, including a waste facilities and landfill rehabilitation levy and collection-related charges.
  Affects waste bills and landfill rehabilitation funding across the region.
• Financial sustainability outlook
  Council’s strategy notes pressure from reduced grant funding, reliance on rate revenue and the need to maintain ratios for operating surplus, cash flow and asset renewals.
  Signals ongoing pressure on future rates, debt and service levels.
• Operational plan delivery priorities
  The Operational Plan translates the corporate plan into annual deliverables for council services, capital works, community activities and financial management.
  Sets the work program residents can expect council to focus on this year.

Impacts

• Higher overall rates and utility charges in 2026/27, with the total budgeted change set at 7.34%.
• Eligible pensioners can receive a $70 annual rebate on the water infrastructure charge.
• On-time payers in eligible rating categories can receive a 5% discount if conditions are met.
• All rateable properties will be affected by the new public transport levy, and some landholders will also pay rural fire, gates and grids or special charges.
• Water, sewerage and waste charges will change for households, businesses and other serviced properties.
• The budget and financial sustainability settings may affect future service levels, borrowing and asset renewal funding.
• Local suppliers and contractors may be affected by the adopted procurement policy and council buying rules.

Places

• Toowoomba Region (local government area)
  Main council area covered by the budget, rates and utility charge decisions.
• Toowoomba (city)
  Council headquarters and part of the region affected by rates and services.
• City Hall, 541 Ruthven Street (facility)
  Meeting venue where the council decisions were made.
• Grand Central Shopping Centre (commercial centre)
  Subject of the special Library Related Activities Levy.
• Haden (locality)
  Referenced in water supply charging arrangements for some properties.

Next

• Apply the adopted 2026/27 rates, charges, levies and discounts in rate notices
  From the 2026/27 financial year, with stated billing periods and issue dates in the resolutions
• Implement the 2026/27 Operational Plan
  During the 2026/27 financial year
• Use the adopted Debt, Procurement and Financial Sustainability policies to guide budgeting and purchasing
  Immediately and throughout 2026/27

Extract

Toowoomba Regional Council Minutes of the Special Meeting of Council held on Tuesday, 30 June 2026 in the Council Chambers, First Floor, City Hall, 541 Ruthven Street, Toowoomba of 225 UNCONFIRMED Toowoomba Regional Council Special Meeting of Council 30 June 2026 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.Opening of Meeting and Acknowledgement of Traditional Owners 2.Attendance including Apologies, Leave of Absence, Granting Leaves of Absence and Declarations of Conflict of Interest 3.Adoption 2026/2027 Operational Plan 4.Closing of the Meeting to the Public to discuss CONFIDENTIAL Items and Opening of the Meeting to pass Resolutions on CONFIDENTIAL Items 5.CONFIDENTIAL - Adoption of the Toowoomba Regional Counci...