Budget
Message from the Mayor
Somerset Regional Council has delivered a $114 million budget for 2025-2026, providing essential services and infrastructure and demonstrating our focus and commitment to financial and operational sustainability.
Council has worked diligently to produce a budget which progresses significant infrastructure and road projects and provides the quality services our residents expect, all while keeping our rates at a competitive and affordable level.
Somerset is a fast-growing region and our population is forecast to grow to 42,200 by 2046 according to ShapingSEQ (2023), with an additional 5,700 dwellings projected. It is essential we focus our investment in infrastructure, roads and the facilities people will need as our community evolves.
Our 2025-2026 Budget is boosted by around $39 million in grants from the State and Federal Governments, forming 39% of our budgeted revenue. This funding reduces the financial burden on Somerset ratepayers and we are grateful for the support of our external funding partners.
Council has prioritised containing operating costs and returning the budget to a small surplus to ensure long-term sustainability.
Council manages nearly $0.5 billion in assets which require maintenance and renewal, including 1,490kms of roads (more than the distance from Brisbane to Townsville), 228ha of parks and gardens, four libraries, three aquatic centres, four public waste facilities and many other key assets.
In the last five years prices have increased for non-residential construction (37.6%) and heavy and civil engineering construction (26.9%), while road and bridge construction prices in Brisbane have increased by 28.9%, putting pressure on Council’s costs. One of the biggest escalating costs for Council is the Queensland Government’s waste levy, increasing by 9% in 2025-2026.
Despite these challenges, Council has produced a budget which delivers for our community while continuing to keep the total cost of our rates as low as possible.
From 1 July 2025 the general rate will increase by 3.5%. To put this in context, an owner-occupied (urban) residential home on the minimum general rate will experience a rate increase of about $48 for the year and, combined with utilities and levies, have a total increase of about $93 for the year before discount. Council is offering a generous 10% discount for early payment, which is more than double the discount offered by many Councils.
We are proud to continue supporting our local economy by employing and buying locally, with 60% of total rates and charges revenue anticipated to remain within Somerset. In the last financial year we spent almost $150,000 on donations and sponsorship, and we intend to continue supporting community groups, charities and local initiatives in 2025-2026.
My fellow Councillors and I are committed to developing a stronger, more vibrant, unified and prosperous Somerset, and we will deliver on this promise through our 2025-2026 Budget.
Mayor Jason Wendt
Read the Budget Highlights
To read the Budget Highlights brochure click here