Brisbane City Council budget: Ratepayers to be slugged with 4.7 per cent rise

Brisbane ratepayers will be slugged with an average 4.7 per cent rates increase in 2016-17 when Lord Mayor Graham Quirk hands down his $3 billion budget on Wednesday.

It was almost double the rise in Cr Quirk's pre-election budget last June, which had an average rates increase of just 2.5 per cent.

The 4.7 per cent rates rise was almost three times more than Brisbane's March quarter inflation rate of 1.7 per cent.

The average Brisbane quarterly rates bill is set to increase by about $17.55, or about $1.35 a week, to $346.09.

Rates will rise by 4.7 per cent when Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk delivers his budget on Wednesday (file photo).Credit: Chris Hyde

Last month, the Labor opposition warned of an impending rates rise due to the planned $1.53 billion Brisbane Metro system and, on that count, Cr Quirk will deliver on Wednesday.

Cr Quirk said both operational savings and rate rises were required in his 2016/17 budget to fund the Metro and other projects.

"Brisbane residents for many years have enjoyed the benefits of the lowest minimum rates in south-east Queensland and, although rising in this budget, our minimum rates remain the lowest in the region by a significant margin," he said.

"An increase in this budget allows us to start the heavy lifting to deliver the Brisbane Metro and a $1.3 billion package of road projects attacking congestion.

"Major infrastructure such as the Brisbane Metro would normally be the job of a state government, however, since this state government has no plan to deal with congestion, I am now getting on with the job of delivering a solution.

"While there is a financial impact by delivering such a major project, in this budget and future budgets, I am committed to keeping any rate rises as minimal as possible, which is why I have also delivered savings in operating costs in the current year."

Cr Quirk said the budget was a "positive plan" for the city that would reduce traffic congestion, offer new lifestyle and leisure opportunities and "keep Brisbane's economy heading in the right direction".

"This budget focuses on the infrastructure this city needs going forward, and over the next four years with $1.3 billion allocated for over 90 road projects over four years including Wynnum Road, Telegraph Road, Kingsford Smith Drive and the Inner City Bypass," Cr Quirk said.

"The budget also includes vital funds for new bikeways, the Brisbane Metro and public transport operations, as part of our plan for real action on traffic congestion."

Cr Quirk said his budget would provide the most generous pensioner concessions of any local government in Australia.

He said the council would fund a 40 per cent remission on the rate bill for full pensioners, capped at $967.

Moreton Bay Regional Council raised its rates by an average 2.98 per cent when mayor Allan Sutherland handed down his budget earlier this month.