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2026/27 Rates and Utilities Changes

Your 2026/27 Rates

General Rates

Townsville City Council’s 2026/27 budget is all about keeping Townsville moving, while keeping rate increases as low as possible.

With over $16 million in savings and cost efficiencies identified this year, Council is prioritising delivery of the basic services residents rely on, and investment in critical infrastructure to support future city growth.

In 2026/27, Category 1 – Principal Place of Residence ratepayers will see an average increase in combined general rates and utility charges of 6.8%, or around $5.48 per week. Rate increases remain capped at 20%.

Need more help understanding your Rate & Utilities Notice? View the Your Rates page.

Key changes for 2026/27

Rate in the Dollar and Minimum General Rate

In 2026/27, the rate in the dollar will increase by 7.2%.

Rate Capping, Discounts and Rebates

Council offers a 5% early payment discount on rates to Category 1 ratepayers who pay all rates and charges by the due date.
Not-for-profit organisations continue to receive a full-rate rebate of 100% of general rates and a partial rebate on water charges.
Not-for-profit sporting organisations continue to receive substantial rebates on water and sewerage charges.
Council has capped rate increases for all Category 1 properties at 20%.

What is rate capping?

Rates are based on your land value and the applicable rate in the dollar or minimum general rate.

Where land values increased significantly, rates would also nominally rise by a similar amount.

To limit the impact on residential homeowners, Council has capped the annual increase in rates at 20% for Category 1 – Residential Principal Place of Residence. Therefore, properties that have previously reached the cap may continue to see increases above the average as capped amounts are progressively applied.

Pensioner Concession

The Pensioner Rates Concession remains one of the most generous in the State.
Council has reviewed and updated the pensioner rates concession policy. Those receiving the pensioner concession before 30 June 2025 will continue to receive their current concession.
New applicants for Council's pensioner rates concession will be eligible for either $400 per year (where all owners are in receipt of the full pension) or alternatively a concession of $200 per year.

Utility Charges

Ratepayers will see an average increase of $151 per year or $2.90 per week on their utilities which includes water, sewerage and waste services.
Utilities charges combined (water, waste and sewerage) have increased by 6.5% since last financial year.

2025 State Land Valuations

The Queensland Government provides Council with unimproved land valuations every few years. The Department of Resources revalued Townsville local government area as at 1 October 2024.

State Land Valuations Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)