Your five-minute guide to the 2024 Brisbane City Council Budget

Upgrades for a busy northside road, completion of a green bridge and westside intersection, reforms to short stay accommodation and masterplans for bayside and northside beauty spots are some of the highlights of this year’s Brisbane City Council Budget.

There's money for Metro charging stations, the Kangaroo Point green bridge, public pool subsidies and more CCTV cameras in the 2024 Brisbane City Council Budget.

Upgrades for a busy northside road, completion of a green bridge and westside intersection, reforms to short stay accommodation and masterplans for bayside and northside beauty spots are some of the highlights of this year’s no-frills Brisbane City Council Budget.

New spending has been dramatically trimmed due to a collapse in revenue from big developments and ongoing, low increases in state transfers.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said he had been upfront during the March election campaign about his desire to deliver a responsible Budget and not promise expensive measures like his Labor and Greens counterparts.

However, key rebates had been retained and spending on infrastructure would still hit $977 million, with the overall Budget just under $4 billion — fractionally lower than in recent years.

Cr Jared Cassidy watches on as Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner presents the Brisbane City Council 2024-2025 Annual Plan and Budget to councilon June 12. Picture: Richard Walker

RATES, CHARGES, REBATES

3.8 per cent general rate increase for owner-occupied houses, an extra $2 per week.

3.8 per cent rise in fees and charges.

$27.7 million rates rebates and concessions for pensioners.

$60 on-time rates payment discount to stay.

50 per cent rates discount for 300 not-for-profits, 100 per cent for not-for-profit kindies.

COST OF LIVING SUPPORT

$8.4 million to continue green waste recycling bin subsidy. bins to cost less than $1 per week.

$2.2 million to continue $2 Summer Dips public pool subsidy this summer.

$500,000 for home composting and food waste rebates.

Free off-peak public transport for pensioners ($3.3 million).

TRANSPORT

$248 million to finish Metro, which should be open this financial year.

$70.3 million to finish Moggill Rd upgrade at Indooroopilly.

Road network renewal, $93 million.

Beams Rd upgrade, $28.5 million.

Lindum Rd safety upgrade, $6 million.

Open level crossings to get $40 million over three years.

AI-backed smart traffic management tech, $15 million.

SHORT STAY ACCOMMODATION

Airbnb-style accommodation property owners will now require a permit, cost to be determined. About 400 existing low-density suburban properties to be banned. Owners must show they have council approvals, access to a 24/7 property manager, guest code of conduct.

SUBURBS

$125 million for improving, maintaining and expanding public park network.

$66 million for drainage.

$63 million for libraries.

$38.6 million for footpaths.

$13.4 million for safer suburbs including more CCTV cameras.

$7.8 million for festivals and events.

LIFESTYLE

20-year masterplan for Kedron Brook to help return it to a more natural state, similar to the Hanlon Park, Stones Corner, rejuvenation. Improved flood resilience, parks, paths.

Masterplan for upgrading Wynnum, Manly and Lota foreshores.

KEY STATS

The 2024/25 Budget will come in at just under $4 billion, bigger than South Australia’s.

Net debt rises to $3.49 billion.

Infrastructure investment will be just under the $1 billion mark.

Council’s asset base will grow to $39.5 billion.

Qld Treasury credit rating retained, Budget balanced.

56 per cent of Budget to go on transport ($2.2 billion), 19 per cent on environment, parks and sustainability ($765 million), 15 per cent on city management, 6 per cent on libraries and community facilities, $103 million 93 per cent) on planning/housing and 1 per cent, or $53 million, on supporting business.

For the first time, no funding released for individual (line item) projects, so extent of any local cuts unknown.