Isaac Delivers Strategic Future-Focused Budget

Published on 30 June 2026

Isaac Regional Council has adopted a future-focused budget that keeps the impact on most households to less than $1.75 per week.

The budget commits $43.7 million in roads and infrastructure and establishes the $3.2 million Isaac Future Fund to help secure our region's long-term future.

Council has implemented a 5% reduction in early payment discounts available to coal mining, workforce accommodation, and renewable energy categories to support the Isaac Future Fund's establishment.

Mayor Kelly Vea Vea said the 2026-27 Budget is about making responsible decisions today while continuing to deliver the infrastructure and services our communities need for tomorrow.

"This year's budget is a strategic budget with a future focus," Mayor Vea Vea said.

"We know households and businesses are facing rising costs and financial pressure. Council is facing those same pressures too.”

Mayor Vea Vea said Council will continue supporting residents through a 10 per cent early payment discount.

“This year we have also extended the early payment timeframe from 30 days to 56 days to give residents more ability to access that discount.”

"We understand cost of living pressures are real and we encourage anyone experiencing difficulty paying their rates to contact Council to discuss a payment arrangement."

"Over the past 12 months, Council has faced around $11 million in unexpected budget impacts, including reduced rates revenue from backdated land revaluations, bad debts associated with a mining company entering administration and increased depreciation following asset revaluations.”

"This financial year, we have budgeted for rising operational costs: $1.25 million extra for essential network and cybersecurity upgrades, $600,000 extra for waste collection, and $347,000 more for electricity costs.”

"The cost of insurance is also forecast to increase by 7.5 per cent each year going forward and we know more council assets will be re-valued this year."

Mayor Vea Vea said Council examined every area of the budget before making the decision to increase rates.

"We looked for savings and continue to advocate for more State and Federal Government funding," she said.

"As a result, residential general rates will increase by 6 per cent this year.

"For 99 per cent of households, rates will increase less than $1.75 per week. The impact is softened by the changes we’ve made to the water access charge, which will help offset the increase for residents. 

"While no increase is welcome, this budget ensures we can continue delivering the essential services our communities expect."

Every day, Isaac Regional Council:

• Maintains 4,500km of roads
• Runs 8 water and 6 wastewater treatment plants
• Runs 9 waste management facilities
• Operates 8 aquatic facilities
• Maintains 99 parks and playgrounds
• Runs 4 hubs, 3 Council offices and 4 libraries
• Looks after 19 community facilities
• Supports 220 annual community events, including $1.1 million in funding for community grants, sponsorships, events and local initiatives in 2026-2027

Roads remain one of Council's biggest priorities, with $43.7 million budgeted for roads and infrastructure across the region this financial year.

This includes $9.2 million for road maintenance activities such as grading, pothole repairs, patching, signage, mowing, and line marking.

Council is delivering a $69.2 million capital works program to support growth across the Isaac region.

Council-funded road and infrastructure projects include:

• $4.6 million to resurface 97 kilometres of roads
• $4 million to resheet 50 kilometres of unsealed roads
• $1.4 million to rehabilitate Golden Mile Road, Dysart-Clermont Road and Moranbah Access Road
• $775,000 for lighting upgrades at parks, sporting facilities and aquatic centres across the region
• $427,000 in upgrades to the Clermont Saleyards

Grant-funded multi-year projects include:

• $24.4 million for the Isaac Resources Excellence Precinct in Moranbah, funded through a $39.7 million Resources Community Infrastructure Fund grant and $2 million from the Australian Government
• $1.6 million towards the Clermont Swimming Centre redevelopment, funded through a $3.2 million Queensland Government commitment
• $1.5 million for sealing and upgrading Dysart’s Cotherstone-Capella Road, funded by $2.4 million from the Queensland Government’s Country Roads Connect Program and $600,000 Council contribution.

Mayor Vea Vea said a key strategic feature of the budget was the establishment of the Isaac Future Fund.

"Smart regions plan beyond budget and election cycles,” she said.

"Around 70 per cent of Council's general rates revenue currently comes from coal mining, workforce accommodation and renewable energy categories.”

"Steel-making coal has a long way to go in the Bowen Basin but we know that won't last forever. Residents will face a rates cliff when mining leases are eventually reclassified for other land uses.”

"That's why this budget establishes the Isaac Future Fund. This fund will act as a long-term superannuation for our region. It will help retain the services our community relies on and support future generations when mining revenue eventually starts to decline.”

“The Isaac Future Fund will receive an initial contribution of $3.2 million in 2026-27. This amount is expected to double the following year when the remaining 5% discount is removed.”

“Importantly, the fund will not be built using money from everyday ratepayers and contributions to the fund will not impact Council's financial stability.” 

For more information on Isaac Regional Council's 2026-27 Budget, visit www.isaac.qld.gov.au.

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