General News
21 July, 2026
‘Modest’ rates rise in difficult valuation year
GENERAL residential rates will rise by a median rate of 4.5% and utilities will similarly rise in most cases across the shire under the Council’s 2026/27 Budget handed down last week.
In introducing the document to a special meeting last Wednesday, Mayor Angela Toppin said “it had been a particularly difficult year to build a budget, given the impact of inflation and rising costs”.
This had been compounded by the State Government’s land valuations, “which had resulted in significant increases in property values across the Shire” – rising by 43% since the last valuation in 2022.
Mayor Toppin said while residential general rates reflect a median increase of 4.5%, individual rate changes will vary according to the changes in property valuations.
Those with a mid-point valued residential property in the shire will have a 3.6% rise in their total rates bill, but there will be a wide variation in this due to the difference in valuations.
Some had zero change, while others had valuation changes that reached up to 300%.
Waste access also jumped to an increase of 7.67% this year, as costs rose under the new waste services contract.
This year’s budget also reduced capital works spending to $17.9 million, compared to $25.7 million in the previous financial year.
However, combined with unspent carry-overs for multi-year projects budgeted last year, together with an operating budget of $63.2 million, Mayor Toppin said continued investment in essential infrastructure and services would be maintained across the shire.
Transport infrastructure remained the highest priority, along with water and wastewater networks, community facilities and public spaces.
Council was increasing investment in water infrastructure, allocating $5.6 million and $4.9 million for wastewater.
The community would be supported through $2.94 million in cost savings and assistance, including: $2.1 million for prompt payment discounts; $405,000 in pensioner concessions; and $470,000 invested in the Community Partnership Program, supporting not-for-profit organisations and community events.
Facilities will receive $750,000 to support projects such as the Arnold Park basketball court upgrades, and the start of the Railway Avenue Entrance Precinct Project to improve parking, stormwater, amenities and lighting.
In supporting the budget, councillors reiterated the long, often difficult and considered process entailed this year.
“I know that every dollar in this budget comes from the hard work of our residents, our farmers, business owners and families across the Mareeba Shire, and it’s not something that we take for granted,” Deputy Mayor Lenore Wyatt said.
“I’m particularly proud that we continue to prioritise projects that continue to improve liveability for residents, from upgraded recreational spaces and accessible facilities to ongoing investment in drainage, roads and community infrastructure. These are things that make the real difference to everyone’s everyday life.”
Cr Ross Cardillo said there had been some very difficult times trying to make the budget work but it had been responsible for the long term.
“It not only sets us well into the next 12 months but well into the future, which is obvious by the amount of applications for residential developments that we’ve received, and we are going to receive,” he said.
“Our shire is growing much more rapidly, I think, than other shires in this region and is probably one of the fastest-growing shires in the state.
“Not only do we have to balance the budget for today, but for tomorrow.”
Cr Mladen Bosnic said this had been only his second budget process and he had learned “very quickly” that budget is “more than just a debate about rate increases”.
“It’s ensuring that financial responsibility and stability is achieved across all areas of operations,” he said.
The budget was “very mindful ... of the cost-of-living issues people are going through out there”, Cr Mary Graham added, also acknowledging the “few headaches” the development of the budget had caused to a dedicated council staff and councillors.
Cr Amy Braes said the budget “reflects the cost increases that have affected council, business and industry over the last 12 months and it was council’s best attempt at balancing myriad factors which are outside our control”.
Cr Nipper Brown added: “In a year of valuations, rising substantially in a lot of cases, and the CPI higher than anticipated, to be able to deliver the same service levels that we delivered over the past year, and to apply what I consider a ‘moderate’ rate rise, results in a responsible budget to help us maintain our goals.”
“I really believe it is a good budget.”
BUDGET SNAPSHOT
Budget: $81.1M
General rates increase: 4.5% with considerable variations up or down due to State Government valuations.
Waste Access increase: 7.67%
Sewerage access increase: 4.44%
Water access increase: 3.57%
Water usage increase (per kl): 8 cents
Operational expenditure: $63.2M
Capital Works: $17.9M including:
Transport: $5.2M
Water infrastructure: $5.6M
Wastewater: $4.9M
Facilities: $750,000
Parks and Open Spaces: $200,000
Community Benefits:
Prompt payment discounts: $2.1M
Pensioner Concessions: $405,000
Community Partnership Program: $470,000
