Addressing the community’s essential needs while keeping pace with our growing region is the focus of the 2025-26 Annual Council Budget, adopted today 24 July 2025.
Gympie Mayor Glen Hartwig said the budget was about setting the region up for the future and building Gympie’s reputation as a region of choice to live and raise a family.
“We have been making a deliberate effort to focus on the basics and address a backlog of ageing infrastructure, and we are seeing the benefits start to pay off with an improved cash position, better forward planning, and increased investment from the State and Federal Governments,” Cr Hartwig said.
“This budget includes significant investment in our region by the state government, with a massive $42 million announced as part of the Residential Activation Fund to build critical infrastructure and support our region’s residential growth.
“Not only will this investment allow us to move forward with a major project to secure water security in the region, it will also allow us to explore opportunities to expand residential and industrial developments, potentially unlocking another 5,300 homes.
“This is the result of significant advocacy by Council, recognising the role state government plays in supporting the region to grow and accommodate Queensland’s housing needs, and we’re delighted to get on with the job of delivering great outcome for our community.
“Growth brings so much opportunity, but it also brings its challenges, and we have worked hard to balance the need to maintain our level of service, while also getting on with the job of delivering community projects that the region desperately needs.
“Through this budget, most Gympie households will see a 5.5% general rate increase, which equated to $1.80 per week.
“Like every household, Council is feeling the pressure of the rising cost of living and the growing expenses to keep a region moving in the right direction, which is why we have spent a considerable amount of time working behind the scenes to prepare a budget that keeps rates increases to a minimum, while also keeping us on track for the future.
"While we continue the journey of financial repair and addressing critical infrastructure needs, we are focused on the future with investment in several major projects to improve the liveability of the region.”
Major areas of Capital and Operational Expenditure
- $56.2 million for water and wastewater projects
- $59.4 million for roads, drainage, and footpaths
- $27.5 million for waste services
- $38.9 million for community services, facilities, parks and recreational projects
- $106.6 million capital works program
- $7.5 million to design and commence construction on the Gympie Civic Centre Renewal
- $8.36 million to secure the site for a future Gympie Region waste management facility
- $16.6 million to upgrade the Gympie water treatment plant sediment tank
- $5.3 million to secure the site for a future sports fields and indoor sports facility
- $1.97 million road resurfacing program
- $479,000 community grants program