Sunshine Coast Council’s $20m budget disaster revealed

A former mayoral candidate has shared his concerns following revelations an error in the Sunshine Coast Council’s financial reporting is expected to create a $20m hole in next year’s budget.

An ongoing error in The Sunshine Coast Council’s financial reporting is expected to create a $20m hole in next year’s budget, the CEO has revealed. Picture: Sam Turner

A former mayoral candidate has shared his concerns following revelations an error in the Sunshine Coast Council’s financial reporting is expected to create a $20m hole in next year’s budget.

The issue, which has been described by the council as an internal error calculating depreciation, is understood to have impacted at least five years of financial statements.

Former mayoral candidate Ashley Robinson said he hoped the $20m deficit would not impact ratepayers or not-for-profits on council assets.

“I’m assuming this is a legacy of the previous council, hopefully the new mayor and the new chief executive come up with a solution that doesn’t affect the ratepayers,” Mr Robinson said.

“One of my concerns during the campaign was whether we had enough operational staff and too much administration, and you’d ask that question again now.

“You’d hope it doesn’t affect their operations.”

On Monday, Sunshine Coast mayor Rosanna Natoli announced the error in the council’s financial reporting meant the 2025-26 budget was going to be delayed.

“The new council is taking this seriously and has prioritised the issue as part of its broader commitment to transparency and financial integrity,” Ms Natoli said.

“Delaying the budget is not a decision we’ve taken lightly, but it’s the right one.

“We want to be sure the financial information we’re relying on is accurate and complete – because trust starts with transparency.”

The council’s CEO John Baker, who began in the role late last year, said the inaccuracy in the financial reporting had taken place over a number of years.

“This has contributed to an inaccurate reporting of council’s true financial position in recent years,” Mr Baker said.

“The amount is in the order of $30 million and this means we will end with a deficit of around $20 million this current financial year.

“The new chief financial officer and I are leading the review, with a focus on ensuring the 2025–26 budget is built on clear, accurate and reliable financial data.”

Mr Baker said the council would be putting in place “robust financial controls”.

The Sunshine Coast Council and Ms Natoli have been contacted by this publication for further comment.

The 2025-26 budget is now expected to be handed down on July 7, 2025.

Originally published as Sunshine Coast Council’s $20m budget disaster revealed