City Budget
The 2025–26 City Budget was adopted by Council on 6 June delivering a sustainable future for the Gold Coast.
Our $2.678 billion budget invests in infrastructure that supports our growing population and provides enhanced services while ensuring costs are kept low for ratepayers.
Mayor's message
The Gold Coast is evolving into one of the world's most desirable lifestyle destinations. We're focused on managing that growth while protecting the lifestyle that makes our city so special.
The 2025–26 City Budget delivers smart investment in core infrastructure, green initiatives and frontline services to support a strong and sustainable future. That includes waste-to-energy planning, improved community spaces and major transport upgrades.
We're keeping rates low, maintaining the core services residents rely on and planning responsibly for the long term. This is a budget that builds resilience, protects our environment and ensures the Gold Coast remains the best place to live, work, invest and raise a family.
Tom Tate BE (UNSW)
Mayor
Key information
General rate increase
The average general rate increase for properties used as a principal place of residence is just 2.7% – delivering at CPI.
The 10% discount for on time payment remains available.
Pensioner rebate
The pensioner rebate has increased by 10% to $298.
Rating categories
We have reviewed our rating structure and we are making important changes to ensure rates are charged fairly. Find information on the following new or changing rate categories.
Horizontal community title scheme (26,443 properties)
- These schemes consist of 2 or more lots in a horizontal orientation and include duplexes, triplexes and gated communities.
- The State Government provided property valuation is shared between the individual lots and generally means a lower valuation than a similar property not in a community scheme.
- The valuation differences are greater in horizontal schemes with 3 or more lots because a different valuation method is used.
- We've introduced 6 new rating categories to reduce the inequity of using different valuation methods and adjusted the general rate accordingly.
This short video explains changes to the general rating structure for horizontal community title schemes as adopted in the 2025-26 budget.
Multi-dwelling residential building (1841 properties)
- Residential buildings with multiple dwellings with a single owner and location and used as permanent or tourist rentals.
- There are now 23 new rating categories for multi-dwelling residential buildings used as a Non-principal place of residence or permanent rental and a further 23 for those used as Tourist rentals.
- Rates are now levied based on the number of units or dwellings on the property. This ensures a fair contribution from every dwelling on the property and is in line with other community title scheme units or single dwellings used in the same way.
This short video explains changes to the general rating structure for multi-dwelling residential buildings adopted in the 2025-26 budget.
Retirement villages (720 properties)
- Single title multi-dwelling retirement village properties are now categorised into 23 new differential general rating categories based on the number of units in the village. Rates are now levied based on the number of units or dwellings on the property.
- A new rating category, ‘Community Title Scheme lot in a retirement village’, has been created. All Community Title Scheme lots in a retirement village have been placed into the new category regardless of whether the resident leases or owns their retirement village unit.
- The minimum general rate for the 'Community Title Scheme lot in a retirement village’ is equivalent to a Principal place of residence single unit dwelling.
This short video explains changes to the general rating structure for retirement villages adopted in the 2025-26 budget.
Retail warehouse (8 properties)
- A new category for comparable, large, single-tenanted retail buildings with a floor area greater than 10,000 square metres and significant on-site parking.
Waste
Queensland Waste Disposal Levy
The State Government's levy aims to encourage people to find ways to reduce, reuse and recycle instead of sending waste to landfill. The levy has increased every year since introduced in 2019. We're unable to continue to absorb the cost so there will be increased rates charges for everyone.
Gate fees from 1 July 2026
We're introducing a gate fee of about $5 for residents disposing of waste to landfill. This way people using landfill services will pay for them. Gate fees will apply to general waste as well as construction and demolition material. Green organics and recycling will remain free.
Fifty-three per cent of items sent to landfill could be recycled or reused. To find out how you can reduce your waste to landfill, visit Waste and recycling.
Parking
We're rolling out a fairer and more streamlined approach to parking from 1 July, 2025. The changes are making it easier for residents and visitors to find a spot, plan their trips, reduce congestion and support local businesses.
Changes
- Standardised off-street parking times and rates across all council-managed car parks.
- Aligning rates and hours of operations to ensure a consistent experience.
- Meters will run from 7am to 7pm 7 days in Surfers, Broadbeach and Burleigh (except public holidays).
- Rates adjusted in high-demand parking locations to ensure adequate parking opportunities, especially in peak times.
Paper rates and water notices fee
From 1 January 2026, a charge of $2.50 applies to each rates notice and water notice issued by mail. The fee reflects the costs we incur producing and delivering a paper notice. Sign up for My Account to receive your notices by email. Visit My Account.
How we are spending your money
Rates
Every $100 is invested in the following city services and infrastructure.
Economic development$10.67
City planning$7.47
Conservation and environment$7.81
Community health and safety$13.38
City transport$33.38
Culture and community$7.90
Parks and recreation$19.39
Utilities (water and sewerage)
Every $100 is invested in the following utility services and infrastructure.
Sewage collection and treatment$30.76
Waste$32.64
Water$36.60
Further City Budget information
City Budget 2025–26 summary(PDF, 570KB)
Full budget summary highlighting expenditure areas