IPSWICH residents are copping a painful rates sting – with the average household now paying nearly $200 more a year after Ipswich City Council handed down its biggest-ever budget.
While the Council claims the $678 million 2025-26 budget as a win for infrastructure and sustainability, the real story for ratepayers is hidden in the fine print.
The headline 4.98 per cent general rate rise doesn’t tell the full story.
Once a new Infrastructure Levy and hiked-up waste and environmental charges are factored in, the average household will be forking out an extra $196.56 a year – an 8.66 per cent jump overall.
That takes the average annual rates bill to a whopping $2465 per household.
The true increase includes the 4.98 per cent general rate rise, the new Infrastructure Levy, a $49 spike in the waste charge, a $5 hike in the Enviroplan levy, and the rural fire levy.
It all adds up to close to an extra $200 a year for the average residential ratepayer.
The biggest hit comes from the Infrastructure Levy, which will be $55 charged to 99 per cent of households, with the other 1 per cent being charged more.
During the Budget Meeting, Councillor Jim Madden spoke on the necessity for the new levy.
“Unfortunately, the developers’ contributions are now falling short of what’s required by Council for strategic infrastructure projects,” he said.
“With the growth of the population of Ipswich expected to double in the next 20 years, we have a significant number of strategic infrastructure projects and we can’t continue to suffer being caught short with the funding of the projects.”
Mayor Teresa Harding backed Cr Madden’s comments, saying the new levy was essential to meet the city’s future needs.
“The Infrastructure Levy is the only way forward to prepare for the growth we know is coming,” she said.
“The alternative, letting our city grind to a halt, is not an option – so we join five other SEQ councils that have already introduced such a levy to recoup the shortfall from State Government funding.”
Councillor David Martin echoed the sentiments of his fellow councillors.
“I think it’s somewhat disappointing that the State is expecting our city to continue to grow and double our population in the next 20 years, whilst not providing sufficient infrastructure,” he said.
Then there’s the waste management increase – up $49 to $513 for the standard three-bin service – and a bump in the Enviroplan levy to $63.
Meanwhile, Council is splashing out $165 million on capital works, including $54.7 million for roads, $23.6 million for sporting and community facilities, and $62.3 million for resource recovery.
City maintenance is also getting an $8.9 million boost for parks, mowing and general upkeep.
Council says the new charges are needed because developer contributions haven’t increased since 2011, despite booming construction and surging infrastructure costs.
With that revenue frozen, more of the cost is falling on ratepayers.
An $8 million operating surplus is forecast, but many residents are asking why they’re footing the bill while developers avoid any increase.
“We put forward a budget that is focused on our future,” Cr Harding said.
“Over the next 20 years, no council in Queensland will grow at a faster rate than Ipswich.
“While this enormous growth presents significant economic opportunities, it also presents us with enormous challenges in delivering the services, facilities and infrastructure our city needs to grow sustainably.
“This is not a budget filled with short-term fixes or flashy announcements.
“It is a budget firmly focused on setting up our city for a positive and prosperous future.”
But for households already under pressure from cost-of-living hikes, it’s yet another hit to the hip pocket.
The bottom line? Ipswich residents will pay more – much more – whether they like it or not.
