Council focuses on essential services in $53.1M operational budget
Published on 25 June 2026
Hinchinbrook Shire Council has committed $53.1 million in operational funding as part of its 2026–2027 Budget, ensuring the delivery of essential services across the Shire.
Mayor Ramon Jayo said the operational budget is what keeps the community running day to day.
“This is the work that often goes unseen but is critical to everyday life like maintaining roads, fixing potholes, delivering water and sewerage services, collecting waste, and keeping our parks and public spaces clean, safe and well maintained,” Mayor Jayo said.
A significant portion of the budget supports Council’s workforce, who plan, manage and deliver these services while ensuring compliance with the many regulations local government must adhere to.
“Our staff are on the ground every day mowing parks, maintaining playground equipment and barbecues, cleaning public amenities and boat ramps, and making sure services are delivered safely, reliably and on schedule,” Mayor Jayo said.
“They also play a key role behind the scenes such as managing projects, coordinating works, and ensuring everything we deliver meets regulatory requirements and community expectations.”
The operational budget also supports community services that enhance quality of life across the Shire.
“This includes keeping our libraries free and accessible so residents can continue learning and building knowledge, as well as maintaining community spaces, facilities and public areas that people use and enjoy every day,” Mayor Jayo said.
Alongside core service delivery, the annual budget supports Council’s Annual Operational Plan, which outlines key priorities for the year ahead, to be handed down on Tuesday 30 June 2026.
This includes:
- Maintaining parks, playgrounds and public spaces
- Supporting community facilities, libraries, and local events
- Delivering waste education and environmental initiatives
- Implementing biosecurity programs to protect land and agriculture
- Continuing flood recovery and resilience planning
- Improving asset management and infrastructure maintenance
Mayor Jayo said Council remains focused on continuous improvement.
“We are strengthening how we manage our assets, improving systems and processes, and making sure we deliver services as efficiently as possible,” he said.
“The budget reflects the reality of rising costs and the need to prioritise core services. Not everything can be delivered at once. This is a back-to-basics approach — focusing on essential services, maintaining what we have, and ensuring our community continues to receive the services it relies on every day.”
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