Council Budget Delivers for Coast Communities

Addressing the community’s essential needs while keeping pace with the growing region was the focus of the 2025-26 Gympie Regional Council Annual Budget adopted on 24 July 2025. 

The total budget is $262M with an operational result forecast of a $7.55M deficit. It includes a $106.6M Capital Works program funded through $36 million external funding, $66 million Council, and $5 million from LGIP. 

Operational and capital expenditure includes $59.4 million for roads, drainage, and footpaths and $38.9 million for community services, facilities, parks, and recreational projects.

The average general rate will increase 5.5% for all rateable properties across the Gympie Region which equates to $1.80 per week with eligible pensioners receiving a rebate of $180 per year.

Increases for service charges of Waste (7.5%), Water Access (6.5%), Water Consumption (10%), and Sewerage (6.5%) are funding major areas of operational and capital expenditure of $56.2 million for water and wastewater projects and $27.5 million for waste services. 

Gympie Regional Council manages $2.5B in assets and some of the renewals and upgrades on the Cooloola Coast proposed in the 2025-26 capital works program totally over $3.9M includes:

• Mullins Creek Water Main Upgrade (Cooloola Cove) - $25k

• Rainbow Beach Aquatic Centre Renewals - $50k

• Rainbow Beach Lifeguard Tower Renewal - $207k

• Rainbow Beach & Cooloola Cove STP Sludge Dewatering Upgrade - $1.9M

• Sewerage Pump Station Renewal (Rainbow Beach) - $955k

• Tin Can Bay Aquatic Centre Renewals - $255k

• Tin Can Bay Dog Park - $110k

• Tin Can Bay Library Renewals - $155k

• Wes Mitchell Park Playground Renewal (Tin Can Bay) - $259k

For more information on the 2025-26 Gympie Regional Council budget head to the Council website.