Maranoa Regional Council Delivers Budget

Published on 25 June 2026

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Maranoa Regional Council has adopted its 2026/27 Budget, delivering a return to an operating surplus while investing more than $57 million in infrastructure, community facilities, housing, roads, water, and resilience projects across the region.

As Council enters the third year of its term, the 2026/27 Budget, reflects its commitment to disciplined financial management, fairness, and long-term planning.

Surplus

This year’s Budget demonstrates that the strategy implemented by Council is working, with a return to an operating surplus of $0.616 million,

Over the past two years, Council has made difficult but necessary decisions to improve financial planning, spending, and service delivery.

  • In 2024/25, Council adopted an operating deficit of $7.555 million, largely driven by significant investment required to address an Environmental Protection Order on Council’s waste facilities around the region.
  • In 2025/26, the deficit was reduced to $1.561 million, while delivering on of the largest Capital Works program in Council’s history.
  • For 2026/27, Council is forecast to return to an operating surplus of $0.616 million.

This achievement strengthens Council’s financial position, reduces pressure on cash reserves, and provides greater confidence to plan for the future. Importantly, this has been achieved without compromising investment in essential services, infrastructure, and community projects.

Managing Rates Responsibly

Despite rising costs for materials, labour, and services, Council has worked hard to manage its operating costs. Next year’s expenditure will remain broadly in line with the 2025/26 Budget, ensuring continued delivery of essential services and projects.

This year, Council has been able to limit rate increases to:

  • A 3.5% increase for residential and rural ratepayers.
  • A 5% increase for commercial and industrial ratepayers.
  • A 10% increase for energy sector ratepayers.

Mayor Taylor said Council had worked hard to minimise the impact of rising costs on ratepayers while ensuring services could continue to be delivered.

"Like households and businesses, councils are facing increasing costs for materials, fuel, construction, insurance, and day-to-day operations.

"Despite these pressures, we have been able to keep rate increases below CPI for around 90 per cent of rate assessments across the region, with the average residential property increasing by around $34 per year.

"We understand every dollar matters, which is why Council remains focused on spending ratepayer funds responsibly and ensuring our communities continue to receive value through the services, facilities, and infrastructure we provide."

Key Priorities

Guided by the new Corporate Plan 2026–2036, this year’s Budget includes over $57 million in capital and project investments. Key priorities include:

  • Roads, water, housing, community facilities, recreation, waste, and resilience.
  • Completion of the Roma Denise Spencer Aquatic Centre redevelopment, one of the largest community facility projects in the region’s history.
  • Progressing the Roma Police Paddock subdivision to unlock new residential land and support housing supply.
  • Initiatives such as a regional housing strategy, youth development programs, sporting accessibility, and library service improvements.

Council will also continue its focus on economic growth through the Maranoa Economic Development Strategy, industry support, investment attraction, and a Development Incentives Policy to foster local jobs and opportunities.

Mayor Wendy Taylor thanked residents for their ongoing engagement and feedback, which has helped guide the Budget and the new Corporate Plan.

“We are proud of what we’ve achieved together so far, and we remain committed to managing your rates and your Council with discipline and transparency. This Budget reflects our promise to deliver for the Maranoa while ensuring a strong financial future,” Mayor Taylor said.

Councillors will be visiting towns across the region in early September to discuss the Budget and plans for the year ahead.

For more information, access the 2026/2027 Budget(PDF, 7MB) or contact Council directly.

View the 2026/2027 Budget (PDF, 7MB)

View the 2026 - 2036 Corporate Plan (PDF, 13MB)

View the 2026/27 Operational Plan(PDF, 10MB)

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