Delivering essential services responsibly in a time of rising costs
Published on 25 June 2026
Hinchinbrook Shire Council has adopted its 2026–2027 Budget, shaped by the realities of rising costs and the need to ensure long-term financial sustainability while continuing to deliver essential services for the community.
The $67.2 million Budget, including a $14.1 million capital works program, reflects Council’s continued focus on maintaining critical infrastructure, delivering core services, and investing where it matters most.
Mayor Ramon Jayo said Council is very aware of the pressures facing residents and businesses, and that this has been central to budget decisions.
“For many years, Council has consistently worked to keep annual rate increases as low as possible in recognition of the unique challenges our community faces, including recurrent natural disasters and an ageing population,” Mayor Jayo said.
“However, while this approach has helped ease the burden on ratepayers, it has not always allowed Council to recover the true cost of delivering services. We have been able to absorb those costs in the past, but that is no longer proving possible.
“In the past financial year alone, the cost of providing fundamental services has increased by around 30 per cent across the board, with rapid escalation driven by external factors leading to significant unplanned expenditure.
“The longer these pressures are left unaddressed, the harder it becomes to remain financially sustainable. We’ve had to be upfront about that and take a responsible approach to ensure we can continue delivering the services our community relies on every day.”
The general rate increase has been set at 4.5 per cent, with most households experiencing an increase of around $1.70 per week or less, with 84 per cent of residential ratepayers falling within this range.
Across all rates, levies and charges, the overall increase is 5.21 per cent, equating to about $4.01 per week for a typical household, covering general rates, water, sewerage and waste services.
While most ratepayers will see the general rate increase, those who have experienced significant valuation changes, were previously subject to rate capping, or own multi-unit properties may see a higher adjustment.
The removal of rate capping was not a decision taken lightly; however, it was a necessary step.
While capping has helped soften the impact of increasing land valuations over time, it has also shifted the true rating liability away from the benefitted property and onto others.
This means properties not subject to rate capping have effectively been subsidising those that are.
Council has also implemented a 30 per cent rate cap for properties categorised as sugar cane, forestry and other rural land, providing greater certainty where valuation increases have been significant.
Importantly, the community can play a role in reducing costs by reducing waste, recycling, saving water and making everyday choices that reduce demand on services to assist Council in managing long-term costs.
Residents are encouraged to learn more about how they can manage their usage and get the most out of Council services through Hinchinbrook H2O.
Guidance on what goes in each bin is also available on Council’s website, along with the Recycle Mate initiative in the waste and recycling section.
Schools and community groups are encouraged to contact Council on (07) 4776 4600 to learn more about available waste education programs and involvement opportunities.
Visit plans and reports for more information