Published on 01 June 2026
Isaac Regional Council is proposing to establish an Isaac Future Fund aimed at helping protect and retain service delivery to our communities in the long-term.
The Future Fund will take a portion of today’s mining prosperity and invest it for tomorrow’s communities. When almost 70% of rates income comes from the mining sector, the reality is a steep rates cliff is coming for future generations when the coal industry eventually stops mining in Isaac. Initial funding sources for the Future Fund will come from reducing the early payment rates discount from mining leases, workforce accommodation and renewables projects. Council intends to reduce their 10% discount payment by 5% this year and 5% next year. All other categories will continue to receive the 10% early payment discount. This money will then directly contribute to the Future Fund every year. Our council will not take money from ratepayers pockets to build this fund, nor will contributions to the Future Fund jeopardise the financial stability of council. Our Council will not take money from ratepayers' pockets to build this fund, nor will contributions to the Future Fund jeopardise Council's financial stability. The fund will grow over decades. Once it reaches around $50 million, and subject to the necessary approvals, Council intends to invest those funds through Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC) to help grow the fund further. Any returns would be reinvested back into the Future Fund, with a long-term goal of building the fund to around $500 million while protecting the principal for future generations. Isaac Regional Council Mayor Kelly Vea Vea said the initiative was about protecting future generations from facing astronomical rates hikes to fund core service delivery to communities as coal mines are decommissioned and leases eventually recategorized. “The Future Fund is a long-term strategy intended to grow our own funds over the decades and used to replace mining sector income to maintain services to communities when mining eventually declines.” “We cannot rely on future governments to subsidise services and infrastructure when funding to local councils has already been reducing over time. Our Council knows that we need to generate our own revenue source to protect future generations from the long-term financial impact that is inevitable when we are so financially reliant on mining.” Mayor Vea Vea said. "Coal mining continues to play a critical role in driving the state and the nation. We are extremely proud to be one of the largest mining regions in the country and will continue to support the growth of the sector here in Isaac. We know the demand for steel-making coal isn’t going anywhere. But, there will be a time when the commodity is exhausted or will become unviable to extract. Revenue streams for council to deliver services will need to change and this fund will be ready to help." “Smart regions plan ahead and responsible leadership means thinking long term and beyond the next election or budget cycle. There are many hoops to jump through and a lot of work to do in order to get the Future Fund to where it needs to be. We have to start now.” Other local councils, like Western Downs have implemented successful investment funds and Isaac Regional Council proposes to do the same. Council has been working on the design and concepts of this fund for the last 12 months in consultation with Queensland Treasury Corporation. The Future Fund will remain subject to Council governance, auditing and reporting requirements, with any future investment arrangements required to comply with Queensland local government legislation and Council policy requirements.
FAQs WHAT IS THE FUTURE FUND? The purpose of the fund is to gradually build a financial reserve that can help substitute for mining revenue that won’t necessarily exist in the future to underpin the sustainability of services to community. HOW IT WILL BE FUNDED? By reducing the mining lease, workforce accommodation and renewables projects early rates discount by 5% this year by another 5% next year this equates to $3.2M in the first year. The fund will be protected so it cannot be touched for decades. It WILL NOT be funded by general rate payers. ENDS