A Budget for today’s priorities and tomorrow’s opportunities
Published on 30 June 2026
Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) has handed down a $728 million Budget focused on maintaining essential services, investing in critical infrastructure and supporting the Region’s long-term financial sustainability.
TRC Mayor Geoff McDonald said the 2026/27 Budget had been carefully prepared to balance affordability for households and businesses with the need to deliver the services and infrastructure residents rely on.
“This is a Budget for today’s priorities and tomorrow’s opportunities,” Mayor McDonald said.
“We know households and businesses are continuing to face cost-of-living pressures and Council has taken a disciplined and measured approach to every decision in this Budget.
“At the same time, the cost of delivering essential services continues to rise, from electricity, and uncertainty around fuel and insurance through to construction materials and major infrastructure. This Budget responds to those realities while protecting the long-term financial strength of our Region.”
The Budget includes $492 million for operational expenditure and $236 million for capital works, while delivering a modest surplus to help sustain services, meet ongoing infrastructure needs and build resilience in uncertain times.
“The Toowoomba Region is where ambition meets opportunity and this Budget supports both. It backs our community today while continuing to invest in a strong, connected and sustainable future,” he said.
The 2026/27 Budget includes a base general rate rise of 6.9 per cent, equating to around $2.38 per week for a City Urban Residential A property after discounts are factored in.
Council will retain the 5 percent pay-on-time discount for residential ratepayers. Pensioner rebates of $120 per year for general rates, supporting 11,000 pensioner households, and a further pensioner rebate of $70 per year for water infrastructure charges for some 10,000 pensioner households, have also been retained.
“We have worked hard to balance affordability with the need to maintain essential services, invest in critical infrastructure and secure our long-term sustainability,” Mayor McDonald said.
“We also recognise some members of our community need additional support, which is why discounts and rebates remain available for eligible residents, including pensioners.”
Water security remains a major focus in 2026/27, with $81.4 million allocated to continue the Cressbrook Dam Safety Improvement Project, which will raise the dam wall and widen the ungated spillway to improve flood resilience and water security.
“Council will also progress the Perseverance Raw Water Main Renewal, the Cooby Dam inlet pipe replacement program, the Four Communities Project connecting Cambooya, Greenmount, Nobby and Clifton to a new Water Treatment Plant at Greenmount,” he said.
“Major water and wastewater investments also include a new reservoir on Harch Road in Highfields, a new sewer pump station and mains on Kuhls Road, upgrades to the Glenvale Reservoir Water Main, Pittsworth water supply infrastructure and Yarraman Water Treatment Plant, and ongoing work through the Water Main Renewal Program.
“With one of the longest road networks of any local government in Queensland, we understand how important it is to keep improving our roads while also supporting better public transport options.
“There will be no increase to the Public Transport in the 2026/27 Budget. The levy will continue to support safer and more accessible bus stop infrastructure, new trial services for regional communities, weekend FlexiLink trials and a weekday-bus service trial in other parts of the Region.
The State Government’s recent long-term funding commitment will further strengthen these efforts, enabling Council to expand and enhance public transport initiatives across the Region.”
“Road investments include an upgrade to Clifton Pittsworth Road between Leslie Bridge Road and Toowoomba Karara Road from single lane to double lane, continued work on the Highfields Road, OBrien Road and Kratzke Road intersection upgrade, and region-wide renewal programs for footpaths, resheeting and resealing.”
Mayor McDonald said Council’s advocacy had also delivered a positive result for residents, with no increase to waste charges this financial year following the State Government’s decision to transition Council from the metropolitan waste levy zone to the regional waste levy zone.
“Without this change, Council would have needed to increase waste charges to recover an additional $3 million in this budget to offset the State Government’s Waste Disposal Levy,” Mayor McDonald said.
“We will always be strong advocates for our community and we appreciate the State Government taking action to assist.
“These measures, coupled with the ongoing commitment of Council staff in delivering for our community, have assisted in ensuring we deliver a Budget that is focused on today’s priorities and tomorrow’s opportunities.”
For more information on the 2026/27 Budget, visit www.tr.qld.gov.au/budget.
Budget highlights:
- A $728 million sustainable financial plan
- $492 million operational expenditure
- $236 million capital projects
- A 6.9 per cent base general rate rise for ratepayers, equating to around $2.38 per week for a City Urban Residential A Property, after discounts are factored in, noting that changes will vary depending on individual circumstances.
- No increase to the Public Transport Levy, Waste Facilities and Landfill Rehabilitation Levy, or Waste Collection Service.
- A 5 per cent pay-on-time discount for residential ratepayers, plus pensioner rebates of $120 per year for general rates for about 11,000 pensioner households and $70 per year for water infrastructure charges for about 10,000 pensioner households.
Major areas of capital expenditure will include:
- $9.06 million for Community Services and Facilities
- $18.7 million for Parks and Recreation
- $17.6 million for Business Operations
- $40.89 million for Roads, Drainage, Footpaths and Bikeways
- $14.94 million for Waste Services
- $12.5 million for Wastewater
- $40.98 million for Water
- $81.4 million for Cressbrook Dam Safety Improvement Project.