Sunshine Coast Council says its 2025–26 Budget takes a measured approach – limiting rate increases, supporting vulnerable residents, and investing in safer roads, parks, and essential services.
Mayor Rosanna Natoli said the Budget was shaped by a clear message from the community about what’s most important – along with a need for strong, responsible decision-making amidst rising costs and economic pressures.
“We have listened to our residents. We know they expect us to be responsible and to use ratepayer money wisely,” Mayor Natoli said.
“We’ve looked hard at the numbers and we’re making the tough calls now to achieve those top priorities.
“We also know many in our community are doing it tough. That’s why we’re doing everything to minimise the impact on households, while still delivering the services and infrastructure that will benefit our community now and into the future.
“We’re not sugarcoating it – this is difficult. But we are doing what’s right and we have a plan.
“We have worked to reduce the minimum general rate rise, we’ve increased pensioner concessions and are offering interest-free payment plans to ease cost-of-living pressures.
“Plus, we know that protecting our Sunshine Coast lifestyle is a high priority for our residents.”
The Council is committing $262.3 million to infrastructure that supports the region’s growing needs.
This Budget includes:
- $129 million to develop a strong community (roads, cycleways and pathways; community venues; disaster management; libraries; lifeguards; public lighting; and sporting facilities).
- $343 million to maintain and enhance our environment and liveability (beaches, foreshore, coastal infrastructure and canals; recreation parks, trails; facilities; stormwater drainage; waste; and resource management).
- $35 million to build our resilient economy (economic development; investment attraction; tourism; major event sponsorship; and holidays parks).
- $380 million to deliver service excellence and manage for growth (planning, building approvals, development assessments; cemeteries; public open spaces; local laws; public health; customer service; and road network management).
“Connected, liveable and thriving are the three powerful principles that underpin our 2025–30 Corporate Plan and our vision – and they are also at the heart of this Budget,” Mayor Natoli said.
“We are determined to work together and with our community to propel the Sunshine Coast towards a united, healthy and prosperous future.
“Our community is at the heart of every decision we are making.”
The Council will invest $30.2 million to maintain and improve sealed and unsealed roads, while $22.4 million has been allocated for park amenities, turf and landscape maintenance.
More than $11 million will go towards sand re-nourishment of beaches, and $23 million will be invested in libraries, which have seen a staggering 37,000 extra people sign up in the past two years, the Council said.
Mayor Natoli said the Council had considered a range of options during its Budget discussions, including higher rate increases, but instead chose a path that balanced financial responsibility with compassion.
“Our ratepayers shouldn’t bear the full cost and nor will they,” she said.
“We are reviewing our services, tightening our belt and making sure every dollar counts. This is our promise to you.”
More than 60% of owner-occupiers will remain on the minimum general rate of $1,586.30 per annum – an increase of $2.10 per week.
Waste charges have increased, reflecting the true cost of service delivery – such as weekly waste collections, recycling and safe landfill management – and the impact of the State Government’s Waste Levy.
The standard 240 litre wheelie bin (general waste and recycling) and the 240 litre garden organics bin collection services will rise a total of $2.35 a week.
“A portion of this increase in residential bin collection fees is due to the State Government’s Waste Levy, which adds $37.70 to the cost of a standard 240 litre bin service this year,” Mayor Natoli said.
“While Council receives $10.3 million to offset this, it falls well short of the $26 million we must pay. We have no control over this bin tax.
“As our community grows, so too does the demand on waste services. We are investing in long-term projects to manage this responsibly and avoid higher costs in the future.
“These aren’t quick fixes. They are critical upgrades to protect our environment and ensure we don’t run out of landfill space.
“We’re acting now to avoid much higher costs to both Council and our ratepayers in the future.”
Key projects include a major upgrade to the Nambour Resource Recovery Centre at Bli Bli ($4.02 million), major works at the Caloundra Landfill ($1.22 million), Caloundra Resource Recovery Centre ($3.4 million), a master plan for Caloundra Resource Recovery Centre ($100,000) and designing and constructing new landfill cells at Nambour ($350,000), to ensure we have the space and infrastructure to manage residual waste responsibly.
Council’s 2025–26 Capital Works Program highlights include:
- $15.2 million: Caloundra Transport Corridor Upgrade (CTCU)
- $13 million: Mooloolaba Foreshore Stage 2 – Central Meeting Place* + $5 million for Southern Parkland seawall project+
- $7.9 million: First Avenue Streetscape, Maroochydore+
- $6.8 million: Honey Farm Clubhouse construction, Meridan Plains+ + $3 million for bulk earth works + $2.8 million for soccer fields establishment and $2 million for sports precinct. Also $3.25 million for cricket field, soccer synthetic field, wetlands embellishments and sports and events amenities
- $5.72 million: Petrie Creek Road Shoulder Widening – Paynters Creek Road to Celestine Place, Rosemount*
- $4.5 million: North Arm Road gravel road upgrade at North Arm
- $4.2 million: Camp Flat Road upgrade Stage 4, Bli Bli*
- $5.5 million: Moffat Beach seawall stabilisation works*
- $3.48 million: Kings Beach Surf Life Saving facility
- $2.975 million: Maple Street – Maleny Streetscape, Maleny+
- $2.8 million: Alex Bluff Foreshore coastal pathway, Alexandra Headland*
- $2.56 million Golden Beach Foreshore upgrade – TS Onslow to Nelson Street*
- $2.35 million: Kawana Waters Regional Aquatic Centre, Bokarina + $1.085 million for 25 metre pool resurface
- $2.274 million: Caloundra Aerodrome masterplan works
- $2 million: School Road Stage 1, Maroochydore
- $1.999 million: Karawatha Drive cycle lanes, Mountain Creek*
- $1.77 million: Caloundra Centre activation – Library
- $1.22 million: Caloundra South Clubhouses at Baringa and Nirimba – construction
- $1.05 million: blackspot fix – Beerburrum Street and Cooroy Street intersection, Dicky Beach*
- $1.05 million: Namba Place Revitalisation Project, Nambour*
- $950,000: Eumundi Town Centre placemaking – Stage 1, Eumundi*
- $950,000: South Coolum Road new pathway, Coolum Beach*
- $920,000: Quota Park fishway construction, Nambour+
- $830,000: Briggs Park – Rugby League and Cricket change rooms, Palmwoods
- $800,000: Eudlo School Road – new pathway, Eudlo
- $595,000: blackspot fix – Dulong Road, Dulong*
- $509,500: blackspot fix – Bellvista Boulevard, Caloundra West raised zebra crossing on southern leg
- $500,000: Sunshine Coast Ecological Park Phase 3 – detailed design, Bald Knob
- $350,000: Beerwah Resource Recovery Centre upgrade of hardstands and investigations for new site to replace current centre.
