Winners, losers: SEQ’s most expensive, cheapest councils exposed

Residents of one South East Queensland council area will pay $1500 more a year for rates, fees and water than their neighbours, new data shows. SEE HOW MUCH YOU’LL PAY.

Local councils’ rates, fees and charges this financial year 2025/2026.

New council rates notices are hitting letterboxes this week and for some South East Queensland households, the cost-of-living crunch is set to worsen.

Fresh data from 12 councils reveals the true price of homeownership in 2025-26, exposing a stark $1500 gulf between the cheapest and most expensive areas.

Redland ratepayers will cop the region’s highest bills — nearly $5000 a year — while Somerset residents remain the most insulated from spiralling charges.

From water and waste to sewerage and state levies, this breakdown uncovers where households are being hammered and where councils are holding the line.

The average total bottomline bill over a year, covering general rates, waste collection, other council levies, sewerage, retail water supply, the State Government’s bulk water charge, and the Emergency Management Levy, for a typical homeowner using 180 kilolitres of water on a median-valued residential property will be about $4218 for 2025–26.

A typical average household bill for the year in Redland is $4931 with a typical Somerset ratepaying household billed an average $3368.

Sunshine Coast, and Scenic Rim councils posted the highest (combined) bills for rates, water, and state charges in 2025/26, all exceeding $4400.

At the other end of the scale, Lockyer Valley and Brisbane joined Somerset to record the lowest totals.

Some councils do not directly provide water and sewerage services, but residents still pay for these through UnityWater or Urban Utilities, both of which are owned and controlled by the councils they serve.

A bar graph shows the fees and charges for each of 12 local SEQ councils, with the highest being paid in Redland and the lowest in Somerset. Data compiled from each council budget.

GENERAL RATES

Although Toowoomba Regional Council posted the highest general rates in southeast Queensland for 2025–26, charging $1701.88 for a typical owner-occupied property. Redland City Council followed closely at $1607.75, ahead of Sunshine Coast Council at $1586.30 with Somerset Regional Council recording the lowest general rate charge at just $886.90.

WASTE

Redland had the highest waste collection charge in southeast Queensland at $650.04 for a standard 240L red, yellow, and green bin service by local company JJ Richards. In contrast, Toowoomba Regional Council has the cheapest service at $327.42, with Ipswich charging $513, Moreton Bay $461, and Logan $446 for comparable household waste services.

OTHER FEES

Other council fees and charges which include fees for recycling, transport improvement, recreational space, disaster management, bushland preservation, koala habitat maintenance, and volunteer fire brigade contributions, vary widely with Scenic Rim the standout with by far the highest extra charges at $677.

However, Redland still cruised in as the second most expensive charging $349, more than double most other councils.

SEWERAGE

Sewerage fees and charges have risen across the region over the past year, with the average now sitting at $768.72. Redland City Council stands out with the highest sewerage charge in Southeast Queensland at $915 — well above the regional average. Other notable councils with higher-than-average fees include Moreton Bay ($874.65), Sunshine Coast ($835.59), Noosa ($834.46), and Logan ($808.00). Meanwhile, Ipswich and Brisbane both charge $715.77, closer to the middle of the range. At the lower end, Toowoomba residents pay the least, with sewerage fees of $595.10. Most other councils’ charges cluster between $715 and $875, highlighting Redland’s significantly higher cost to local homeowners.

WATER (COUNCIL/RETAIL)

The retail cost of delivering water to a property, governed by local councils, also varies significantly across the 12 councils with Toowoomba Regional Council residents facing the highest cost at $1380.35 for a median property using 180kL annually.

In contrast, several councils including Brisbane, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Scenic Rim, and Somerset offered the cheapest rates, all charging $429.89.

Redland water supply retail charge was also near the higher end of the scale at $524.80, making it more expensive than most councils except Toowoomba and Gold Coast.

WATER (STATE/BULK)

All councils, except Toowoomba, will this year pay the state government an annual bulk water charge of $633.06, which helps cover the cost of infrastructure such as dams and treatment plants. Toowoomba does not pay this fee because it does not source its bulk water from SEQ Water.

EMERGENCY LEVY

Lockyer Valley, Scenic Rim, and Somerset councils each pay a lower Emergency Management Levy of $147.20. This is less than the $251.60 charged by all other councils for a median property using 180kL of water annually.

REDLAND

Total for typical household: $4931.25 (up 9.27%)

Typical household ratepayers in Redland will pay the most in dollar terms this financial year.

Redland households will more than $700 above the SEQ average this financial year with the second-highest general rates ($1607.75) behind only Toowoomba. Waste charges are also steep at $650.04, and the 9.27 per cent annual increase is one of the largest in the region.

A council spokesperson said 84 per cent of Redland’s rate revenue comes from residents, unlike councils with larger commercial sectors. Redland also services six island communities and 335km of foreshore — more than the Gold and Sunshine Coasts combined — yet has maintained free tip access. Island bin charges remain slightly higher than those on the mainland. Councillors passed a $503 million budget that included a minimum general rate rise of 7.89 per cent, after finding $23 million in savings. However, Mayor Jos Mitchell made headlines by voting against it.

“I did not vote for the budget this year because, taking into account all factors, I did not personally feel it was in the best interests of Redland ratepayers,” she said.

SUNSHINE COAST

Total (inc UnityWater) typical household: $4488 (8%)

Typical household ratepayers in Sunshine Coast will have the second highest bills, fees and charges this financial year.

A typical Sunshine Coast ratepayer household will have an 8 per cent increase in total annual bills mainly from high general rates of $1586.30 and mandatory green bin charges pushing the total well above the regional average. Sewerage and water supply costs are also on the high side. It means Sunshine Coast households are paying some of the state’s highest council fees outside Redland.

SCENIC RIM

Total (inc Urban Utilities): $4421 (5.34%)

Scenic Rim homeowners are paying the third highest annual rates, fees, and charges this year, up by just over 5 per cent. General rates are moderate at $1235, but the standout is a hefty $677 in “other council charges”, which is the highest in SEQ. This covers infrastructure, environment and fire management costs. While other charges are high, waste, water and sewerage remain relatively stable.

GOLD COAST

Total bill: $4396.09 (5.94%)

Fees and charges that a typical Gold Coast household ratepayer will face this financial year.

A typical homeowner on the Gold Coast has the fourth highest rates, fees and charges annual bill of the 12 councils analysed based on 180kL of water, which is up about 6 per cent. It comprises $1285 in general rates; $524.75 in rubbish fees with waste collection mandatory for green bins. The city’s growing population has boosted infrastructure bills with other council charges rising to $347.88. Sewerage will cost $783 with a typical water retail bill of $570, one of the region’s highest water supply costs. The State government bulk water charge of $633 and the Emergency Management Levy of $251.60 are both standard for the region.

A Gold Coast spokesman said the budgeted average total bill was $4278.75, with the council-only portion (excluding state charges) at $3394.09. The difference in figures likely stems from varying assumptions about the median property value or how the council bundles internal utility costs. Mayor Tom Tate said the average general rate increase for owner-occupied homes was kept to 2.7 per cent and said the budget would invest in sustainable infrastructure for the growing population … “while ensuring costs are kept low for ratepayers”.

TOOWOOMBA

Total bill: $4299.93 (11.93%)

Toowoomba ratepayers were hit with the fifth highest bills and will see a sharp jump of nearly 12 per cent, the biggest percentage rise in SEQ. What makes Toowoomba unique is its massive water supply charge of $1380.35 and its general rates of $1701.88, the region’s second highest. Other council and fees and charges are tiny at just $43.58.

LOGAN

Total bill: $4267 (5.56%)

Typical Logan ratepaying households face ‘middle-of-the-range’ fees and charges of the 12 SEQ councils.

In Logan, which sits in the middle of the 12 councils analysed, the total bill including state water, will rise about 5.5 per cent on last year. Logan ditched its controversial community service charge this year and instead increased general rates to $1496.24, the fourth highest in the region. However, its waste charges remained modest at $446. Sewerage and water supply costs were also mid-range. Logan’s council-only total charges rose by 6.5 per cent driven by growth pressures, rising material and construction costs, and mounting operational demands to service the state’s fastest-growing council area. Its population recently passed 400,000, and the city is now investing more than $827 million in essential infrastructure over the next 12 months. Mayor Jon Raven said his council had focused on “need-to-haves instead of nice-to-haves” to keep future rate rises in check.

MORETON

Total Moreton Bay & UnityWater $4212.35 (7.05%)

Moreton Bay ratepaying homeowners are also in the middle of the pack.

Moreton Bay homeowners are also in the middle of the pack with a typical ratepaying household facing a noticeable average 7 per cent annual rise. Sewerage charges in Moreton are the second priciest in SEQ behind Redland at $874.65, reflecting UnityWater’s high infrastructure spend. General rates are moderate at $1346.26, but waste collection still adds $461. Rapid population growth is driving big investments and higher bills. However, the council limited the increase in council-only charges (general rates, waste and local levies) to $131 a year or $2.52 a week. Excluding the state-driven waste levy, the increase is just $56 (or 4.2 per cent). Water and sewerage are provided by Unitywater and are not controlled by council. Moreton Bay maintains the lowest waste charges in the southeast despite the rising state Waste Levy, now $125/tonne with a reduced rebate. Mayor Peter Flannery said the council would continue to offer free tipping of up to 3 tonnes or 26 visits, almost 50 free community events, and generous pensioner remission policies.

NOOSA

Total bill: Noosa & UnityWater: $4207.43 (5.73%)

Noosa households will see a steady 5.7 per cent increase in their total annual bill. General rates in Noosa sit at $1429.50, one of the region’s highest, and green waste bins are now mandatory. Sewerage and water supply costs together push this holiday hotspot well above the SEQ average. The good news is waste charges are fairly low at $438.

IPSWICH

Ipswich & Urban Utilities: $4028.36 (5.44%)

Typical homeowner ratepayers in Ipswich face average annual fees, charges and bills of about $4028 this financial year, based on the use of 180kL of water.

Ipswich’s general rates are about average for the region at $1364.05, with the city’s bin fees coming in at $513. Other council fees and charges are low at $121, keeping overall costs steady. Sewerage and water charges are almost identical to Brisbane’s. The average total bill for an Ipswich owner-occupied home on median-value land using 180kL of water is $4028.42 in 2025–26, making it the fourth cheapest in southeast Queensland. Sewerage costs total $716, while retail water is $430 and the state bulk water charge is $633. An additional $252 is charged for the Emergency Management Levy.

Mayor Teresa Harding said Ipswich was balancing record growth with cost-of-living relief and had maintained early payment and pensioner discounts, and froze street parking and dog registration costs.

BRISBANE

Brisbane & Urban Utilities total bill: $4006.72 (4.72%)

Brisbane’s total annual rates, fees and charges for owner-occupier ratepayers this financial year were the third lowest of the 12 southeast councils.

A typical Brisbane ratepayer will get the third cheapest total bill of all 12 council areas paying just over $4006 a year, which equates to a modest 4.7 per cent rise, one of the lowest hikes this year. General rates are mid-range at $1339.03, and Brisbane still offers early payment discounts. The city’s massive ratepayer base helps keep other costs under control and green bins are being rolled out to all eligible homes. Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the council had “worked hard to deliver a balanced budget that helped keep costs down for Brisbane residents” with 85 per cent of spending to be directed to the suburbs.

LOCKYER

Lockyer Valley & Urban Utilities total: $3991.86 (3.79%)

Lockyer Valley homeowners’ general rates are slightly above Brisbane’s at $1378.15, but bin costs are much cheaper at $364.80. Residents also pay the lower state Emergency Management Levy. Overall, Lockyer Valley stays under the $4000 mark for another year.

SOMERSET

Somerset Regional & Urban Utilities total: $3368 (5.92%)

Somerset remains the cheapest place in SEQ, with a typical annual bill of $3368.25, rising by 5.9 per cent and more than $100 cheaper than the next most affordable council. General rates are the lowest of all councils at just $886.90. Waste collection and other charges are also among the lowest. Despite being SEQ’s smallest council, Somerset charges $886.90 in general rates with an early payment discount, $431.10 for waste collection, $124.30 in other council charges, $715.77 for sewerage, $429.89 for water supply, $633.06 in state bulk water charges, and a $147.24 Emergency Management Levy. While Somerset’s council-only charges rose 9.3%, one of the highest increases in the region, the total bill remains the lowest due to modest utility costs. Somerset Mayor Jason Wendt said his council had worked to soften the impact of rising costs.

“Somerset Regional Council is a very affordable place to live compared to many councils in South East Queensland,” he said

He also pointed to a 10 per cent early payment discount, double the offer of most SEQ councils and said grant funding was being used to offset infrastructure costs and reduce the burden on residents.

Originally published as Winners, losers: SEQ’s most expensive, cheapest councils exposed