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2026-27 Brisbane Budget

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Discover the key highlights and priorities in the 2026–27 Brisbane Budget, from investment in roads and transport to enhancing lifestyle and better suburbs.

Lord Mayor's message

We’re spending less where we can and investing more where it counts.

We’ve made relieving the cost of living a priority for this Budget because we recognise families are feeling the pressure of higher grocery bills, electricity prices, rent and mortgages.

Every dollar we spend is residents’ money and we have a responsibility to spend it carefully.

Our cost-of-living Budget provides practical relief for Brisbane residents while continuing to invest in the infrastructure and services needed to keep Brisbane moving.

While we’re keeping costs down overall, this Budget delivers a record $110 million for better, smoother roads and a record $213 million to deliver bus, ferry and Brisbane Metro services.

These record investments set a new benchmark and are a critical part of our commitment to keeping Brisbane moving.

As Brisbane grows, we’re also continuing our efforts to unlock thousands more homes in the right places.

Sensible financial management means we’re reducing unnecessary spending while investing more in the infrastructure and services that help shape our reputation as Australia’s lifestyle capital.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner's headshot in June 2026 with City Hall and trees in the background.

Adrian Schrinner
Lord Mayor

Brisbane Budget by numbers

We’re committed to managing our finances responsibly and continuing to balance the Budget to ensure Brisbane residents continue to pay less than other councils but get more for their money. 

$76.5 million

Cost-of-living package

$110 million

Record road surfacing

$3.6+ billion

Suburbs-first guarantee

$1.9 billion

Keeping Brisbane moving

$899.1 million

Improving our lifestyle

$146.5 million

Planning for our future

$217.5 million

Delivering better services

Budget highlights

Road resurfacing

Delivering record funding for road resurfacing in Brisbane.

Road resurfacing in Frater Street Everton Park featuring a worker on a road surfacing vehicle.

Story Bridge

Ongoing maintenance and renewal of the Story Bridge.

Story Bridge from the eastern side

Brisbane Metro

Progressing the Brisbane Metro business case.

Two Metro passengers smiling at each other in a Metro vehicle

Iconic destinations

Investing in Brisbane's most iconic destinations.

Botanic Gardens lookout at Mt Coot-tha with Brisbane City skyline

Emmanuel City Mission

$750,000 donation over 3 years to support Emmanuel City Mission's Night Sanctuary.

Man cooking burgers on a barbeque at a Homeless Connect event

Move Well Brisbane program

Biggest boost to free and low-cost activities as part of the Move Well Brisbane program.

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Keeping costs down

We’re delivering a below-inflation rates increase of 3.97% — equivalent to around $0.70 per week for minimum general rates, and $1.22 per week for the average owner‑occupier.

Brisbane ratepayers will pay hundreds of dollars less per year on average than other South East Queensland councils.

An elder woman, a younger woman and a couple walking on a pier

Brisbane will also continue to have the most generous pensioner rates rebate in South East Queensland, with the maximum rebate increasing by $52 to $1,350 per year.

The $60 on-time rates payment discount will continue in 2026–27, which saved residents more than $16.4 million in 2025–26.

By keeping costs down, we are delivering a balanced Budget that ensures Brisbane residents pay less than other councils but get more.

Keeping Brisbane moving

Brisbane is one of Australia’s fastest growing cities. We’re building a transport network for the Brisbane of today and the future.

Our public transport services make it easier to leave the car at home, with more than 10 million trips taken on Brisbane Metro and Brisbane’s New Bus Network in the past year.

In 2026–27, we’re keeping Brisbane moving with a record road resurfacing program and investing even more into building better roads.

A worker working on road surfacing in Sawtell Lane.

  • Upgrading footpaths, including Bradley Avenue, Cavendish Road and Oxley Road
  • Busting congestion by expanding our Clearway Action Plan to Vulture Street in Brisbane’s east
  • Improving our ferry terminals including an upgrade to Apollo Road, and planning the heritage restoration of Bulimba and Hawthorne
  • Progressing the rollout of Smarter Suburban Corridors
  • Record road resurfacing, including on some of the city's busiest roads
  • Suburban intersection upgrades, including Cavendish Road, Holdsworth Street and Kitchener Street in Coorparoo, and Milton Road, Sylvan Road and Croydon Street in Toowong
  • Gearing up quarry operations to capitalise on the increasing demand for quarry and asphalt products 
  • Delivering Safer School Precincts in Mansfield, Kedron, Wynnum Manly and Indooroopilly
  • Construction of the Melbourne Street, Prebble Street, Sylvan Road and Shafston Avenue bikeways

Australia's lifestyle capital

Brisbane is Australia’s lifestyle capital and continues to capture global attention as one of the best places in the world to visit.

Our record supporting vibrant precincts like Howard Smith Wharves, West Village, South Bank and Fish Lane have helped shape Brisbane’s incredible lifestyle.

Parks and playgrounds like Bradbury Park, Hanlon Park and Archerfield Wetlands have created more to see and do in the suburbs.

Three women warming up for a work out in a park near the Story Bridge.

  • Delivering the boost to free and affordable activities in Brisbane’s history through our new Move Well Brisbane program
  • Continuing our $2 Summer Dips offer to give everyone the opportunity to stay cool for less
  • Delivering better parks across the suburbs, including a new inclusive nature-based and water play playground at The Lake Parklands, Forest Lake
  • Improving dog parks in Wishart, Chermside, Carina, Everton Park, Sherwood, Ascot and Wakerley
  • Progressing our plans to deliver new district sports parks in Pallara and Ellen Grove
  • Improving our libraries, including upgrading Bulimba Library and enhancing Inala, Mt Gravatt and Holland Park libraries
  • Suburban pool upgrades at Dunlop and Parkinson pools

Better suburbs

Brisbane has the best lifestyle in Australia and we’re determined to keep it that way.

While many families are experiencing the pressures of cost of living, one of the great things about Brisbane is that some of our best experiences don’t cost a cent.

The 2026–27 Budget will invest more than $3.6 billion through our suburbs-first guarantee to create more for people to see and do for less, while ensuring Brisbane’s lifestyle keeps getting better.

Bradbury Park, Kedron

  • Completing the Brighton Foreshore upgrade and releasing the Wynnum, Manly and Lota Foreshore Master Plan
  • Suburban Renewal Precincts in Stones Corner, Alderley, Cannon Hill, Chermside, Mount Gravatt, Upper Mount Gravatt, Sandgate and Wynnum
  • Progressing the long-term visions for Kedron Brook, Kingfisher Creek and Oxley Creek
  • Investing in community clubs through our Community Sport and Partnership Project, including Wynnum Vikings AFL, Valley District Cricket, MacGregor Netball and Easts Mt Gravatt Junior Rugby League
  • Boosting the Lord Mayor’s Better Suburbs Grants, supporting community organisations to maintain, improve and develop their facilities

Story Bridge renewal

The Story Bridge was built 86 years ago and is one of Brisbane and Queensland's most iconic and recognised landmarks.

We're ready to get on with the job of a major renewal to secure the bridge's future, with the Story Bridge Renewal Business Case 80% complete.

You can read more about the progress on the Story Bridge renewal page. 

Bradbury Park, Kedron

Download the Annual Plan and Budget 2026-27

Annual Plan and Budget 2026-27 front cover featuring a group of people doing exercises in a park near the Story Bridge

For quick facts, download the summary.

For detailed plan and budgeting information, download the full document.

Read the Lord Mayor's speech when the budget was presented to Council.

Please note this speech does not reflect the official records of Council proceedings. The official minutes of Council meetings can be found via our meeting minutes page once published.

information outline

Need help with interpreting? 

If you need an interpreter, phone 131 450 and ask to speak with Brisbane City Council on 07 3403 8888.

Supporting documents

The Schedule of Fees and Charges gives information about the financial year’s fees and charges for Council products and services.

Download the Schedule of Fees and Charges documents:

Helpful links

Annual Plan and Budget

Each year Council produces annual reports and financial documents informing how we conduct the business of running our city, as well as goals and plans for Brisbane's future.

Learn more
Brisbane Vision 2031 document on an office desk, along with other papers, computer screens and stationary.

How is the budget presented?

Read the minutes from the last Council budget meeting and find out how you can watch a livestream of the next one.

Look up Council meetings
Brisbane City Hall on a clear day viewed from King George Square.