Cook Shire Council has today adopted its 2026–27 Annual Budget, setting the direction for the year ahead by balancing rising operating costs with continued investment in local roads, essential services and community infrastructure.
The budget supports the delivery of 23 Operational Plan initiatives and a $9.35 million Capital Works Program, reflecting the priorities identified by the community through Council’s budget engagement process.
Before making its final decisions, Council undertook its largest-ever community budget engagement program, receiving more than 115 survey responses, written submissions and community conversations from across the Shire. Roads, footpaths and drainage emerged as the community’s highest priority, helping inform this year’s budget.
Mayor Robyn Holmes said this year’s budget had been developed against a backdrop of increasing costs for both Council and the community.
“Roads, footpaths and drainage remain our community’s highest priority, and you’ll see that reflected in this year’s Capital Works Program through significant investment in road renewals, sealing and drainage improvements across the Shire.”
“Like households, local government is facing significant increases in the cost of doing business. Wages, electricity, insurance, fuel, contractors and construction materials have all increased, but our responsibility remains the same – to continue delivering the essential services our communities rely on.”
Mayor Holmes said Council had carefully considered community feedback throughout the budget process.
“Roads, footpaths and drainage remain our community’s highest priority, and you’ll see that reflected in this year’s Capital Works Program through significant investment in road renewals, sealing and drainage improvements across the Shire.”
Council’s budget engagement also highlighted the significant cost-of-living pressures being experienced across the Shire, with more than three quarters of respondents reporting moderate to severe financial pressure.
“We know many households are doing it tough, which is why Council worked hard to strike a responsible balance between maintaining services, investing in community priorities and keeping increases as manageable as possible.”
This year’s budget delivers a $9.35 million Capital Works Program and 23 key Operational Plan initiatives, with investment reaching communities right across the Shire. Highlights include Finch Bay Road and Railway Avenue East upgrades in Cooktown, Lakeland Landfill rehabilitation, Weary Bay Esplanade sealing in Bloomfield and Fairview–Palmerville Road drainage upgrades.
Alongside Council’s own capital program, approximately $90 million in Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) works are expected to be delivered across the Shire during 2026–27, while Council will also progress the recently announced $2.4 million Davies Hill upgrade through the Queensland Government’s Cape York and Torres Strait infrastructure package.
Mayor Holmes said while the budget delivered significant investment across the Shire, Council had also worked hard to minimise the impact on residents wherever possible.
“This budget isn’t just about balancing the books. It’s about delivering the roads, infrastructure and community facilities people have told us matter most, while making sure we’re planning ahead for the future. At the same time, we’ve worked hard to minimise the impact on households wherever possible.”
Understanding your rates
Mayor Holmes said it was important for residents to understand that there is no single percentage increase that applies to every residential property.
Approximately 51% of residential ratepayers are assessed at Council’s minimum residential general rate and will see their general rates increase by $79 per year – around $1.50 per week.
The remaining residential properties are generally located outside the major townships, where land has been valued by the Queensland Valuer-General at more than $130,000. These properties are assessed under Council’s differential rating system, so general rates vary according to each property’s land valuation and rating category.
“Council deliberately structured this year’s budget to keep the increase in general rates to $79 per year for just over half of all residential ratepayers. Beyond that, general rates vary according to each property’s valuation and rating category, which is why there isn’t a one-size-fits-all percentage increase.”
Mayor Holmes said it was equally important to remember that general rates are only one component of a rates notice.
“When people receive their rates notice, it’s easy to focus on the final amount. But a rates notice is made up of several different charges… some set by Council, and some collected by Council on behalf of the Queensland Government or local Rural Fire Brigades.”
This year, the Queensland Government’s Emergency Management Levy has increased. This is a state government charge, not set by Council — for information on the levy amount applicable to your property, visit fire.qld.gov.au or contact 13 QGOV (13 74 68). The Rural Fire Levy, collected on behalf of local Rural Fire Brigades in the Marton, Poison Creek, Rossville and Bloomfield brigade areas, remains unchanged.
Supporting ratepayers
Mayor Holmes said Council had also increased support available to eligible pensioners and would continue rewarding prompt payment through its Early Payment Incentive.
From 1 July 2026, Council’s own pensioner concession will increase from $200 to $240 per annum. This is in addition to the Queensland Government’s concession of 20%, capped at a maximum of $200 per annum.
Council will also continue its Early Payment Incentive, providing a $100 annual discount ($50 per rates notice) to ratepayers who pay by the due date.
“While we can’t avoid every increase, we have looked for practical ways to support our community. Increasing Council’s pensioner concession and continuing our Early Payment Incentive are two ways we’re helping reduce the impact for eligible households.”
Learn more
“Budgets can be complex, so we’ve made a commitment to explaining not just what Council has decided, but why. We encourage everyone to take a few minutes to read the information we’ve published alongside this year’s budget.”
The full 2026–27 Budget Report, including the Revenue Statement and supporting budget documents, is available through the 30 June 2026 Ordinary Council Meeting agenda on Council’s website.
Council has also published Understanding the 2026–27 Budget: What it Means for Our Community, a webpage explaining the key budget decisions and what they mean for residents.
In the coming weeks, Council will also publish its annual plain-English Budget Summary—a downloadable overview of the adopted budget, major projects and key initiatives for the year ahead.
Residents with questions about how the adopted budget affects their individual property are encouraged to contact Council by phoning (07) 4082 0500 or emailing mail@cook.qld.gov.au to make an appointment to speak with Council’s Rates Officer.
ENDS