Steady today, stronger tomorrow.
Pictured: Lake Alford
Your Councillors
Cr Glen Hartwig Mayor 0437 722 931 | mayorhartwig@gympie.qld.gov.au
External Committees: Chair,, GRC Local Disaster Mgmt Group, Wide Bay Burnett Regional Road Group
Cr Jessica Milne Division 1 0436 282 707 | jess.milne@gympie.qld.gov.au
External Committees: GRC Community Biodiversity Reference Group
Council Advisory/Working Groups: Audit and Risk Management Committee, Wide Bay Burnett Resource Recovery Steering Group
Cr Dolly Jensen Division 2 0436 306 226 | dolly.jensen@gympie.qld.gov.au
Council Advisory/Working Groups: Traffic and Road Safety Committee
Cr Shane Warnes Division 3 0457 339 019 | shane.warnes@gympie.qld.gov.au
External Committees: Gympie Cemetery Trust, Access Advisory Committee
Cr Mick Curran Division 4 0467 434 456 | mick.curran@gympie.qld.gov.au
External Committees: Heritage Reference Group
Cr Allona Lahn Division 5 0461 405 565 | allona.lahn@gympie.qld.gov.au
External Committees: Heritage Reference Group
Cr Warren McEwan Division 6 | Deputy Mayor 0448 655 435 | warren.mcewan@gympie.qld.gov.au
External Committees: GRC Local Disaster Management Group (Deputy Chairperson)
Council Advisory/Working Groups: Weed and Pest Advisory Committee
Cr Warren Polley Division 7 0436 307 489 | warren.polley@gympie.qld.gov.au
Council Advisory/Working Groups: Audit and Risk Management Committee, Traffic and Road Safety Advisory Committee and the Access Advisory Committee
Cr Gordon Maudsley Division 8 0461 431 404 | gordon.maudsley@gympie.qld.gov.au
External Committees: Wide Bay Burnett Regional Road Group, Mary River Catchment Committee
Council Advisory/Working Groups: Traffic and Road Safety Committee, Weed and Pest Advisory Committee
THE MAYOR’S MESSAGE
The 2026-27 Budget is more than a plan for the next 12 months – it is a commitment to the future of the Gympie Region and the generations who will call it home. Founded on decisions that will have intergenerational impacts, this budget builds on the foundations this Council has established since 2020 through ongoing investment in critical infrastructure that will support our region well into the future. From securing future sporting fields and the continued delivery of critical water and waste infrastructure, to ensuring we have the land, services and facilities needed to support growth, this budget is about creating opportunities.
But, while our budget is future facing, it is also about delivering the basics in what is a challenging financial environment. This budget responds to the impacts of a series of natural disasters, required asset valuations that have increased the cost of deprecation, increasing construction expenses, supply chain pressures, and of course, as every household is facing, the impacts of broader global pressures including rising fuel prices, interest rates and cost of living.
This means our 2026-27 budget is not only about planning for the future – it is also about living within our means. It’s about operating responsibly and finding smarter ways to deliver our 41 different services, while maintaining more than $2.6 billion in aging assets and remaining responsive to the everyday needs of 60,000 residents spread across the 7000sqm that make up the Gympie Region. Maintaining our roads, delivering reliable water and waste services, caring for parks and open spaces, encouraging economic growth and investing in community facilities such as libraries, remain at the heart of our priorities. These are the things that support everyday life and help make the Gympie Region the welcoming, connected and liveable place we all value.
This financial year we again look forward to working with our community, engaging you in planning for our future, and encouraging you to join us in advocating for the ongoing State and Federal Government investment we need to continue our forward-looking trajectory. Councillors and Council staff have worked hard to deliver the 2026-27 budget. There were tough decisions made to ensure rates increases were kept to a minimum for most of our ratepayers. We looked at ways to do things smarter to save costs while continuing to prioritise the projects that are needed by, and important to, this community.
This budget balances today’s needs with tomorrow’s opportunities. It reflects a commitment to living within our means, planning responsibly, and investing where it matters most. It also reflects our ongoing advocacy to secure support and investment from other levels of government who recognise our Region’s important role as a strategic growth corridor for Southeast Queensland.
Together, I know we can build a region that is resilient, affordable and prepared for the future. I thank our community for its continued support and confidence as we work to create a stronger Gympie Region for generations to come.
Glen Hartwig Mayor, Gympie Regional Council
THE CEO’S MESSAGE
Over recent years, Council has focused on strengthening the foundations of our organisation. Better planning, stronger asset management and a clearer understanding of the services we deliver are helping us make informed decisions for our community. The 2026-27 Budget is a reflection of that work.
This year’s Budget is closely aligned with Council’s Corporate Plan and Operational Plan, creating a stronger connection between our long-term vision, annual priorities and the resources needed to deliver them. Together, these documents provide a clear line of sight between community outcomes, Council priorities and investment decisions, helping ensure we remain focused on what matters most.
Like many councils across Australia, we continue to operate in an environment of rising costs, ageing infrastructure and increasing demand for services. These challenges reinforce the importance of responsible stewardship. Our role is not only to deliver services today, but to ensure community assets and resources are managed sustainably for future generations.
This Budget reflects that balance. It supports the delivery of a significant capital works program and continued investment in the infrastructure, facilities and services our communities rely upon every day. It also progresses important long-term priorities, including water security, waste management, growth planning and improvements to the systems, planning and organisational capability that will support future service delivery.
At its heart, this Budget is about stewardship — balancing today’s needs with tomorrow’s responsibilities. It reflects Council’s commitment to managing community resources wisely and ensuring the decisions we make today create lasting value for the future.
I would like to thank our Councillors for their leadership, our staff for their dedication, and our community for the trust they place in Council. Delivering for the Gympie region is a shared effort, and the strongest outcomes are achieved when we work together toward a common purpose.
This Budget is not simply a plan for the year ahead—it is an investment in the future of the Gympie region. By continuing to strengthen our foundations, deliver on our commitments and invest responsibly, we are creating lasting value for generations to come.
Robert Jennings Chief Executive Officer, Gympie Regional Council
Gympie Regional Council Income Streams
Gympie Regional Council receives income from several streams with the majority collected from rates revenue in March and September.
The following is a complete breakdown of Gympie Regional Council’s operational budget income streams.
GRC Income Stream Summary
Net Rates & Utility Charges
$120.67m
Fees & Charges
$10.46m
Sales, Contract & Recoverable Works
$9.69m
Operational Grants & Subsidies
$11.49m
Interest Received
$4.45m
Other Recurrent Income
$0.76m
TOTAL $157.53m
How Rates Are Determined
Rates and charges are the main source of income for Gympie Regional Council.
Our rates are based on a ‘differential rating system’, which means properties are grouped into categories based on factors such as land use, location, available services and land valuation, which is determined by the Queensland Government. Each category is charged a different rate in the dollar to ensure rates are distributed more equitably across the community.
How your general rate is invested (for every $100)
Rates and Charges Summary
Gympie Regional Council’s rates remain among the most affordable when compared with local governments of a similar size and scale.
For 2026-27, average residential property general rates increase 4.9% which equates to an average $1.69 weekly increase, or less than the cost of a loaf of bread, for the majority of residential ratepayers.
Council has increased the rebate for eligible pensioners from $180 to $200 annually. Council’s rebate now matches the State Government rebate providing a total $400 discount per annum.
Service Charges
Gympie Regional Council owns and operates its own water and sewerage facilities. This means that unlike many other Councils, these utility charges appear on Gympie Council Rates Notices and are not provided separately by another entity.
In 2026-27, ratepayers will see increased charges for rubbish, water and sewerage. For residential ratepayers (who have access to all of these services), this equates to an annual increase of $260 annually (based on 200kl water consumption) or $5 per week.
Proposed Capital Works Listing 2026/2027
• Goomeri Aquatic Centre Renewal Program | Design & Deliver
• Gympie Aquatic Centre Renewal Program | Design & Deliver
• Kandanga Aquatic Centre Renewal Program | Design & Deliver •
• Gympie Art Gallery Building Renewal Program | Design
• Rainbow Beach Lifeguard Tower Renewal | Deliver
• Curra Country Club Building Renewals | Design
• Kandanga Public Hall Building Renewals | Design & Start Delivery
• Rainbow Beach Library, Community Centre & Library Building Renewals | Design
• Tin Can Bay RSL Hall Building Renewals | Design
• Amamoor Hall Building Renewals | Design & Start Delivery
• Amamoor Recreation Grounds Public Amenities Renewal | Design & Deliver
$490,000 $100,000 $190,000 $50,000 $25,000 $250,000 $180,000
Proposed Capital Works Listing 2026/2027
Proposed Capital Works Listing 2026/2027
(Tin
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• Bridge No. 112 Renewal on Inglewood Road (Monkland) - SLRIP | Deliver
• Bridge No. 422 Renewal at Chatsworth Park (Chatsworth) | Deliver •
Proposed Capital Works Listing 2026/2027
Regionwide Pathway Renewal Program |
Tailor Street to IGA Pathway Renewal (Tin Can Bay) | Deliver
• Amamoor Creek Road Widening (Amamoor Dagun Rd to Harrys Creek Rd) - TIDS | Design
• Anderleigh Road Sealing (Sandy Creek Rd to Ch 20.5km) - CRC | Deliver
• James Kidd Oval Carpark Sealing (Gympie) - TIDS |
• McIntosh Creek
(Jones Hill) - RTR | Deliver
• Reef Street Asphalt Overlay & Young Street Intersection Upgrade (Gympie) | Deliver
• Louisa Street / Popes Road / Musgrave Street Intersection Upgrade | Design
• Rocks Road Widening (Pie Creek) - Black Spot | Design
• Tagigan Road Widening (Goomboorian) - RTR | Deliver $120,000 $2,900,000 $240,000 $2,500,000 $1,660,000
• Fraser Road Pavement Renewal (Araluen) | Design
• Regionwide Road Pavement Renewal Program | Design
• River Rd / Graham St Pavement Renewal (Gympie) | Design
• Upper Eel Creek Road Floodway Renewal (Langshaw) | Design & Deliver $17,000 $100,000 $70,000 $75,000
Proposed Capital Works Listing 2026/2027
Proposed Capital Works Listing 2026/2027
Proposed Capital Works Listing 2026/2027
• 25/26 Regionwide Water Main Renewal Program - W4Q | Deliver
• Regionwide Water Main Renewal Program | Design & Deliver
• Regionwide Water Meter Renewal Program | Deliver
• Regionwide Water Service / Hydrant & Valve Renewal Program | Design & Deliver
• Jones Hill Reservoir #2 Renewal | Deliver
• Regionwide Reservoir Renewal Program | Design
• Ferguson Hill Reservoir Roof & Internal Fixture Renewal (Gympie) |
• Gympie WTP Sediment Tank Upgrade SP1 - RAF | Design & Start Delivery
• Mary Valley Water Supply Pipeline | Design
•
• Cooloola Cove WTP Filter Replacement | Deliver
• Gympie WTP Belt Press Refurbishment | Deliver
• Rainbow Beach WTP Filter Renewal | Deliver
• Cooloola Cove WTP Chemical Dosing System Upgrade | Design & Deliver $414,000 $200,000 $670,000 $230,000
