Brisbane homeowners will face a 3.97% general rate increase after the Brisbane City Council handed down what it called a “sensible” but austere 2026 budget, citing rising fuel costs and the ongoing war in the Middle East as key pressures on the city’s finances.
The $3.9 billion budget is about $200 million smaller than last year’s which itself was $200 million smaller than the 2023 budget marking the second consecutive year of significant cuts. Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the city’s finances had been “hit hard” by natural disasters such as Cyclone Alfred and by what he described as insufficient support from state and federal governments.
“Despite these challenges, the budget I’m presenting today is balanced, it’s responsible, and keeps costs down for residents,” Schrinner said.
The 3.97% rate rise sits below Brisbane’s current inflation rate of 4.6%, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. However, council fees and charges will increase by an average of 4.8%, adding further pressure to household budgets.
In a notable shift, the council will not borrow any money this financial year the first time in nearly a decade and has committed to repaying $557 million in debt over the next 12 months.
Unlike previous budgets, this year’s plan contains no major infrastructure projects or headline sweeteners. Instead, spending is focused on smaller initiatives, including $5.6 million for free outdoor wellness and mindfulness classes, $110 million for road resurfacing, and $135 million for repairs to the Story Bridge.
The budget underscores a tightening financial environment for Australia’s largest local government, with residents now bracing for higher costs and fewer big‑ticket investments in the year ahead.
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