Flinders Shire Council announces 2025-2026 Budget

Flinders Shire Council has released its 2025–2026 Budget, shaped around the principle of ‘Bringing it back to community’, with a renewed focus on essential infrastructure, long-term financial sustainability, and delivering practical outcomes that meet local needs.

Mayor Kate Peddle said the $50 million Budget reflected Council’s commitment to aligning its resources with community priorities, while continuing to advocate for investment to address long-standing underfunding in water, sewerage, and core infrastructure.

“This year’s Budget is all about putting our people first,” said Mayor Peddle.

“Every investment decision has been shaped by its value to our residents, and we are focused on delivering essential services and infrastructure that make a real difference to everyday life across the Shire.”

Budget overview

The total proposed expenditure for 2025–2026 is $49,994,074. This includes core services, capital works, and infrastructure investment, with a continued push to attract external funding and create local economic opportunities – particularly through agriculture, business services, and renewable energy.

Council has also delivered a modest general rate rise of 3.9 per cent, just above Consumer Price Index (CPI), to balance revenue needs with compassion during ongoing cost-of-living pressures.

Notably, only 15 per cent of Council’s revenue comes from rates, and none of its services are cost-recovered, with the remainder heavily subsidised.

Infrastructure priorities: water, sewerage, and sustainability

At the centre of this year’s Budget is a major investment in the region’s ageing water and sewerage systems.

“We are addressing the critical infrastructure challenges that have affected our community for far too long,” Mayor Peddle said.

Key projects include:

• Upgrading and connecting Bores 2, 5, 7, and 9 to SCADA systems

• Replacement of remaining cast-iron water mains in western Hughenden

• A new inlet screen at the Sewerage Treatment Plant

• New sewer mains and upgraded sewerage pump stations.

• Planning for a new water treatment plant and reservoir to secure long-term supply.

Council estimates a total $35 million is required for a permanent fix to water and sewerage services and continues to seek support from the Queensland Government’s $2 billion Residential Activation Fund – at the same time potentially unlocking more than 200 new homes.

To help prioritise asset management and community investment, capital plant purchases have been reduced from $6.1 million to $2.6 million.

Enhancing liveability and local spaces

Council is also investing in a range of community-focused projects aimed at improving liveability, safety, and amenity. These include:

• Repair and expansion of the footpath network

• Sealing and maintenance of town streets

• Irrigation system installation for town beautification

• Upgrades to Shire-wide signage

• Ongoing improvements to community spaces including:

  • Hughenden Aged Care Facility

  • Prairie Park and rest area

  • Aged bores and housing upgrades

  • New water and sewer connections

  • Continued development of the lake precinct and recreation facilities

  • Beautification projects for Hughenden, Prairie, Torrens Creek, and Stamford.

A new ‘Deferred Priorities’ section has also been introduced to ensure full transparency around future project planning and community consultation.

$11 million in grant funding secured

Council has successfully secured $11 million in external funding to support critical works, including:

• Potable water improvements and bore upgrades

• Staff housing

• Hughenden Showgrounds upgrades

• Paleo-tourism initiatives and Discovery Centre enhancements

• New road sealing and progressive upgrades

• Roads to Recovery works (Swanson Street, McLaren Street to Queen Street)

• Floodway upgrades across the Shire

• Ongoing Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme (TIDS) funding for Old Richmond Road sealing.

Strategic planning and long-term growth

Council is preparing to revitalise its Town Plan to support residential and industrial growth and encourage new development in the town centre.

The introduction of Queensland’s Community Benefit Royalty Framework will also deliver a major boost to future revenue, with Flinders Shire one of the first to implement the legislation.

This ensures developers of renewable energy projects must agree terms with local councils, providing vital royalties to support infrastructure and services.

Federal funding reform a key advocacy priority

Mayor Peddle also highlighted the need for fairer Federal funding, noting the steady decline in Commonwealth financial assistance grants over recent decades.

“These grants now represent just 0.5 per cent of national tax revenue – a long way from the one per cent that is needed to adequately support local councils,” she said.

“Alongside the LGAQ, we will continue to fight for restoration of this critical funding stream so regional councils like ours aren’t forced to raise rates to fill the gap.”

She also noted that changes in State Government policy have increasingly shifted responsibilities – such as water and sewerage infrastructure – onto local councils without providing matching financial support.

“Councils are being asked to do more with less, especially in areas that require major investment,” she said. “It’s unsustainable without fair funding at both state and federal levels.”

Looking ahead

“This is a conservative, community-first Budget,” Mayor Peddle said.

“It’s built on strong governance, long-term financial planning, and deep respect for the people of our Shire.

“I want to thank my fellow Councillors, our CEO, Directors and the entire Council team for their exceptional work in delivering this Budget under challenging conditions.

“As a Council, we’re ready to move forward – confident in our direction and committed to ensuring a vibrant, resilient, and sustainable future for Flinders Shire.”

To read the Flinders Shire Council 2025–2026 Budget in full, please visit the Council website. You can also view Mayor Peddle’s Budget snapshot video here.