Community reacts to Sunshine Coast Council’s 2025/2026 budget, rate rises

Sunshine Coast residents have shared their thoughts on the recently announced council budget for the next financial year, with much to say about a previously undiscovered $20m hole and hikes for ratepayers.

Sunshine Coast residents have revealed their thoughts on the latest council budget.

Readers reacted to the Sunshine Coast Council’s latest budget which revealed unpleasant news for ratepayers of the region, alongside a $20m deficit which had recently been uncovered

The 2025-26 budget was presented to the council for adoption at a special meeting held yesterday, July 7.

The $973m budget, presented by mayor Rosanna Natoli, revealed property owners in the region would experience a 7.4 per cent increase on general minimum rates.

Ratepayers will also receive an increase to the waste levy, by $2.35 per week, while the transport levy will be reduced by $3.08 per property.

Mayor Rosanna Natoli had referenced the miscalculation in depreciation discovered in June, which resulted in a $20m deficit, stating it would not reduce any services to the region.

Sunshine Coast residents shared their thoughts in the comments section of this publication’s Facebook post in response to the rate hike, with the $20m deficit a particularly hot topic.

Many called for an independent audit into the miscalculation, while others made note of the new council city hall building in Maroochydore, which opened in late 2022.

Others expressed disappointment in the rate hikes and concerns over road repairs and rubbish tip fees.

What you said:

Michael Clarke

Shouldn’t they take a pay cut then?

Samantha White

The council building where it was should have just been renovated and added on to as was the original future plans.

That would have freed up a whole lot of savings to the Coast without the unnecessary new one being built.

Murray Harney

Let’s do an audit on any increased costs … car leases, pay rises, councillor benefits/costs.

I bet there is little to none cost reduction being done inside the council … everyone else being made to pay …

Ann Samwell

They could try renting out some rooms in their lavish expansive office.

About the $20m deficit:

Jennifer Low

How about being upfront and transparent as to why and when this apparent “unexpected $20m deficit” occurred and why it’s only just been discovered and announced?

How many councillors were aware of this, after how many meetings, passing motions hence agreement that the financial statements were true and correct?

You can make a minor adjustment for 20 bucks without losing your job, but not $20m!

Lyndon Cotton

So they made the accounting errors and ratepayers have to be punished for their incompetence! Joke of a council.

How about a wage freeze for them to correct their error?

Chelle Lee

I think an audit by a third party needs to be done.

$20 million missing?

People on the Sunshine Coast are just holding things together as it is and it looks like the council isn’t being careful with the money we pay them.

Not good enough.

Trent Anderson

Why should we have to pay for poor money management?

Maike Cameron

So you “unexpectedly” spent $20 million? And you expect someone else to pay for it?

Based on this in isolation, what qualifies you to run a business?

Kim I-s

Again, can the Mooloolaba foreshore redevelopment and save ratepayers some $$$.

Sue Carter

What is the council not accounting for? That is a huge deficit. Somebody is unable to do the maths.

Pleas for services and repairs:

Mich Lou

If you’re hiking up the rates again, maybe fix our roads.

Jada Lynn

How many free tip vouchers will that mean? Oh that’s right, Sunshine Coast councils don’t do that. I pay less rates in Brisbane but get 10 free tip trips every year.

Sarah Richardson

Tip vouchers and subsidy on pump outs or reduced rates for those not on town sewerage would be nice …

Have you forgotten that people are having to pay that on top of your ridiculous rate charges?

Sharon O’Keefe

What extra services are we getting? This is highway robbery!

More about the missing $20m:

Dennis Bishop

Most local councils are in a bad financial way. Very bad at balancing a budget, just blame the state and federal on not getting their fair share of $$$$.

Charles Edward Halter

I believe it was previous councils who had miscalculated depreciation costs.

Originally published as Community reacts to Sunshine Coast Council’s 2025/2026 budget, rate rises