Understanding Your Rates

Townsville ratepayers receive their Rate & Utilities Notice in their mailbox or inbox twice a year, in February and August.

Townsville City Council's 2025/26 Budget reflects Council's commitment to the core services Townsville’s residents rely on every day – water, wastewater, roads and waste – while minimising rate rises.

Townsville was included in the Queensland Government’s 2025 land valuation program, with Townsville land values experiencing an overall increase of 27%. Some ratepayers’ land received much higher increases. To offset the impact of these land valuations, Council has reduced the rate in the dollar.

Category 1 – Residential Principal Place of Residence residents whose valuations increased by less than the drop in the rate in the dollar may see a reduction in their rates.

Ratepayers with an average valuation of $216,000 will see a 6.07% increase in rates, and utilities. This equates to $4.62 per week.

  • How Rates are Calculated

    Learn more about the rates, levies, discounts and rebates featured in Townsville City Council’s Budget.
  • Rate Comparisons

    Townsville City Council allocates your rates and utilities charges on delivering core services for our entire community.
  • Where Rates Go

    Council invests your rates and utilities back into our community. Every $100 of rates or utilities can be divided into infrastructure and service costs.
  • Reading Your Notice

    Townsville ratepayers receive their Rate and Utilities Notice in their mailbox or inbox twice a year – in February and August. Here is how to read it.
  • Pay Your Rates

    View all our payment options for rates and utilities.
  • Change Your Water Billing Plan

    Your water billing plan can be updated during the annual opt-in period.
  • Check Your Rates Balance

    Simply enter your reference number to view your current rates balance.
  • View Rate & Animal Notices Online

    Move towards a more sustainable future by receiving your notices (Rates and Animal Registrations) via email through eNotices.
  • Change Your Mailing Address

    Update your mailing / postal address for Council services including rate notices, animal registrations, licences, current requests and applications, and more.
  • Rates & Charges

    View Townsville City Council's current rates and charges.
  • Concessions & Hardship Assistance

    View all concessions currently available to Townsville City Council ratepayers.
  • General Rate Objections

    You may object to the rating category that the Council has applied to your property within 30 days of the rates notice being issued.

Frequently Asked Questions

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