Moreton Bay City Council Budget 2025-26: What you need to know

Above: Mayor Peter Flannery, CEO Scott Waters and Councillors at today's handing down of the 2025-26 Budget.

Moreton Bay Regional Council has today adopted a $1 billion Budget for 2025/26 with a "modest" rates rise and record capital works spending.

Mayor Peter Flannery said $15 million in operational savings helped keep the minimum general rate rise for owner occupiers to .87cents a week or $45 a year.

And with a record capex budget of almost $400 million, Council says its  budget makes “the City is ready to meet the demands of our rapidly growing population”.

The Mayor says this ensures the budget balanced affordability with ambition, while building up strategic reserves to enable long-term city-building projects.

“City of Moreton Bay is in a strong financial position, with a low level of debt compared to many other SEQ councils,” Mayor Flannery said.

“We’re living within our means but looking to the future. We are also conscious that cost of living pressures are impacting our residents, so we aim to keep rates as low as possible. 

“Thanks to prudent financial management, we’ve been able to limit rate rises, to ensure we continue to fund day-to-day services while also planning for our rapidly growing population. 

“I’m pleased more than a third of owner occupier residents are on the minimum general rate.

“Non-residential property owners and business will also benefit, with rate rises kept at the same low increased percentage as residential properties.”

The Mayor said City of Moreton Bay will “continue to lead the way as the only SEQ Council to offer discounts* for self-funded retirees”.

Highlights for each division:

Divisions 1, 2, 3 - click here

Divisions 4, 5, 6 - click here

Divisions 7, 8, 9 - click here

Divisions 10, 11, 12 - click here

“Alongside discounts for pensioners and part pensioners, these cost-of-living measures will benefit more than 31,000 ratepayers,” he says.

Council will retain free tipping (up to 3 tonnes or 26 visits) for eligible residents while having one of the lowest SEQ waste management charges.

Mayor Flannery said record investment of almost $400 million in infrastructure and capital works will support jobs and vital projects.

These include Caboolture River Rd, planning for Buchanan Rd, Old Gympie Rd upgrade and bridge construction at Youngs Crossing Rd and delivering the Deception Bay SES Depot.

Also, Centenary Lakes Activation projects, building a new Suttons Beach Pavilion, continued development of The Mill site, and Bongaree to Woorim Active and Public Transport Network Connection.

“The 2025-26 budget is fiscally responsible,” the Mayor says. “It doesn’t just deliver value for money now, ensuring our residents continue to receive high quality services, it also sets us up for future growth.

“As one of Australia’s fastest growing areas with an expected population of 1 million people in around 30 years, Council is planning ahead retain an enviable lifestyle as we grow.

“This budget is about more than numbers - it is setting us up to thrive.

“From improved roads to greener parks and stronger communities, we’re putting your rates to work, to build a better City of Moreton Bay… the city of tomorrow.”

*Remissions are: $250 p.a. per eligible pensioner property, $100 p.a. per eligible part pensioner property and for self-funded retirees, $75 p.a. per eligible property where the retiree holds a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card.