Ipswich City Council has handed down a $779 million 2026–2027 Annual Plan and Budget, delivering meaningful cost-of-living relief and boosting investment in local roads, facilities and open spaces.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said this year’s Budget was a record for the city and delivered Council’s largest ever three-year Capital Works Program.
More than $210 million will be invested in roads, facilities and open spaces. An extra $100 million has been injected into capital works over three years, ballooning the city’s three-year Capital Works Program to $672 million.
“This is a budget for all of Ipswich with 90 per cent of the Capital Works Program to be spent outside of the Ipswich CBD,” Mayor Harding said.
“This Budget invests money where it matters, recognising cost-of-living pressures facing local households while responsibly managing the rapid growth shaping our city.
“It’s a future-focused approach aimed at allowing our city to grow and prosper, while maintaining some of the lowest rates and charges in Southeast Queensland.
“We have listened to the community and for the first time from September this year residents will be able to receive a free waste voucher for up to 500kg taken to a resource recovery centre, bringing flexibility in how residents dispose of unwanted items and cost-of-living relief.
“This initiative will be active from September, in time for household clean-ups ahead of the busy South East Queensland storm season.”
Finance and Governance Committee Chair Cr Paul Tully and Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding with the 2026-2027 Annual Plan and Budget.
The average general rate rise in the 2026-2027 Budget is 5.45 per cent, and an average increase in total rates and charges of $2.99 per week.
“We understand any increase is challenging for ratepayers right now who, like council, are feeling the impact of rising costs. We have worked hard to keep the increase as low as possible while delivering the essential services our community not only expects but deserves,” Mayor Harding said.
“We have left no stone unturned in scrutinising every aspect of the organisation’s spending in preparing this year’s budget.
“We’ve found $6.8 million in efficiencies across the organisation’s operations, allowing that money to be reallocated into the delivery of community services, capital works and maintenance.
“The 2026-2027 Budget includes a $9.2 million surplus as well as a reduction in council’s overall debt position of $23 million. These measures will allow council to deliver more essential infrastructure for the community.”
The 2026-2027 Waste Utility Charge will be set at $553, the Enviroplan Levy at $68, the Infrastructure Levy at $65 and the Rural Fire Levy (separate charge) at $3.
Major budget highlights include:
- $95 million for maintaining, upgrading and expanding our road network
- $82.4 million for sporting and other community facilities
- $68.1 million for resource recovery
- $24 million for environment and sustainability
- $13.7 million for libraries
- $9.7 million for arts and cultural services
Mayor Harding said suburbs right across the city would benefit from this year’s budget.
“That means whether you’re in Rosewood and Thagoona in the west, Redbank Plains and Springfield in the east, Ripley in the south, Tivoli in the north or one of the many beautiful suburbs in between this budget delivers for you,” Mayor Harding said.
Major citywide highlights in the 2026-2027 Budget include:
- $108 million over three years for Stages 1 and 2 of the Ripley Road upgrade
- $35 million over two years to complete the Western Grandstand upgrade at North Ipswich Reserve, in partnership with the Federal and State governments
- $22.4 million over three years to complete Stage 2 of the Springfield Parkway upgrade
- $11.5 million over three years for upgrades to Tivoli Sporting Complex including new fields, new clubhouse and new sports field lighting.
- $8.8 million over three years for preliminary works to progress the $60 million three-stage upgrade of School Road, Redbank Plains
- $8.1 million over three years for upgrades at Limestone Park, Ipswich including resurfacing of netball courts, new fitness equipment, dog off leash area and amenities
- $5 million towards the development of a new sports facility in Springfield Central adjacent Brighton Homes Arena, Springfield Central
- $3 million over two years to improve flood mitigation by upgrading Marburg Detention Basin
Finance and Governance Committee Chair Councillor Paul Tully said as well as investing in the future, council had ensured the city’s most vulnerable residents were not forgotten.
“We’ve maintained full pension concession of $258 per year and part pension concession of $129 per year for eligible pensioners,” Cr Tully said.
“The discount for early payments of $132 per year has also been maintained.
“As well as investing heavily in the infrastructure our growing city needs to thrive into the future, we’re continuing to support the services and programs that residents enjoy today.
“There is support for our city’s libraries which offer a vast array of free and low-cost programs, as well as money for the city’s signature major annual festivals, free plant program, Active and Healthy Ipswich program, Ipswich Art Gallery and the Ipswich Civic Centre.
“The ongoing major renovation to the biosecurity area at Ipswich Nature Centre – South East Queensland’s only council-run zoo – is also supported.”
Read more about the 2026-2027 Budget at Ipswich.qld.gov.au/budget
