Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Hinchinbrook Shire Council has adopted a $67.2 million budget for 2026-27, with a $14.1 million capital works program aimed at maintaining essential infrastructure while responding to rising costs and planning for the region's future.
Mayor Ramon Jayo said the budget reflected a practical approach that balanced financial responsibility with the delivery of core community services.
"Council is very aware of the pressures facing residents and businesses, and that this has been central to budget decisions," Cr Jayo said.
The budget includes 49 capital projects across the shire, with major investment in roads, drainage, water and sewerage infrastructure, community facilities and recreational spaces.
Roads and drainage will receive about $4 million, while $6.1 million has been allocated to water and sewerage infrastructure to improve network reliability and support future growth. A further $1.2 million will go towards buildings and community facilities, with $2.1 million dedicated to parks, walking tracks and environmental initiatives.
"This is about investing in the infrastructure our community uses every day — roads, drainage, water, sewerage and community facilities," Cr Jayo said.
"We are focused on what matters most and that's keeping our region functional, safe and liveable."
More than half of the capital works program will be funded through state and federal grants, including more than $5.1 million from the Residential Activation Fund to extend reticulated sewerage from Ingham to Toobanna and support future housing development.
Other major projects include the replacement of the Macknade Creek bridge on Old Wharf Road and a $1 million review of Council's finance and corporate management system.
Mayor Jayo said the budget also addressed increasing operational costs, which had risen sharply over the past year.
"For many years, Council has consistently worked to keep annual rate increases as low as possible in recognition of the unique challenges our community faces, including recurrent natural disasters and an ageing population," he said.
"However, while this approach has helped ease the burden on ratepayers, it has not always allowed Council to recover the true cost of delivering services. We have been able to absorb those costs in the past, but that is no longer proving possible."
General rates will increase by 4.5 per cent, with 84 per cent of residential ratepayers expected to pay around $1.70 extra per week or less. Across rates, water, sewerage and waste charges, the average increase will be about $4.01 per week for a typical household.
Council has also introduced a 30 per cent rate cap for sugarcane, forestry and other rural properties where land valuations have increased significantly.
Residents are encouraged to reduce waste, recycle and conserve water to help manage long-term service costs.
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