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Brisbane home owners face rate hike as council tightens its budget
Brisbane City Council has delivered its 2026-27 budget with a 3.97% rate hike for home owners, attributed to inflation and federal funding shortfalls. At the same time, the council is investing $5.6 million in a new healthy activities program. Both developments were covered by ABC News in separate reports.
Brisbane home owners will pay 3.97 per cent more in council rates this financial year, while the city also plans to invest $5.6 million in an expansion of its healthy activities program. The twin announcements came out of the Brisbane City Council's 2026-27 budget, which Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said was "sensible" and "responsible" despite financial pressures.
Coverage comparison
ABC News reported on the budget in two distinct ways. One report focused on the rate hike and the council's budget challenges, including rising costs and a lack of federal and state funding. The other highlighted the $5.6 million investment in the Move Well Brisbane program, which will add new classes and expand existing offerings. Both reports drew on direct statements from Lord Mayor Schrinner, who framed the budget as a response to unusual economic conditions.
Key claims
Home owners face a 3.97 per cent general rate hike this financial year, according to ABC News.
The council attributed the increase to rising fuel costs, the war in the Middle East, the cost of natural disasters such as Cyclone Alfred, and a lack of funding from the state and federal governments.
The rate hike is below Brisbane's inflation rate of about 4.6 per cent, as measured by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABC News reported.
Council fees and charges will rise by an average of 4.8 per cent.
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the budget was "hit hard" and that "we're not in ordinary times" since the pandemic.
The council is paying off debts for the first time in nearly a decade, committing to repay $557 million over the next 12 months.
The council said the Story Bridge will cost $1.35 billion to fix ahead of the 2032 Olympics, and formally requests a funding split of 80 per cent federal, 10 per cent state, and 10 per cent council.
The budget includes minor items: $5.6 million for outdoor wellness and mindfulness classes, $110 million for road resurfacing, and $138 million for Story Bridge repairs, per ABC News.
The healthy activities program
The $5.6 million investment in the Move Well Brisbane program will be allocated in the 2026/27 budget, as reported by ABC News.
The program will add nutritional and cooking classes and double the number of participating businesses from an earlier stage to 400, and increase sessions from the current total to 20,000 over the next two years.
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said it would be "the biggest boost to active and healthy programs that the city has ever seen," and he stressed it would allow residents to enjoy the city without "foresearning the hip pocket."
The council is partnering with Nutrition Australia Queensland to provide nutrition and healthy cooking classes. Cr Schrinner also called for local businesses to get involved in offering free classes and activities.
Perspectives
No perspectives section included – the material provided does not contain any separate viewpoints from parties other than the council and its Lord Mayor. The federal and state governments are only as a subject of criticism, and no official from those levels of government is quoted.
How this outlet told it
ABC Australia
Framing: Positive investment in health and wellness — Informative and supportive
Facts Included:
$5.6 million investment in healthy activities program
Move Well Brisbane program to add nutritional and cooking classes
doubling of providers and activities
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner's statement on the program
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Claim
Confidence
Status
ClaimBrisbane City Council has announced a $5.6 million investment in its healthy activities program to be allocated in the 2026/2027 budget. The Move Well Brisbane program will add nutritional and cooking classes and double the numbers of providers and activities.
ClaimThe Brisbane City Council will allocate $5.6 million in its 2026/2027 budget to boost healthy activities across Brisbane with the new Move Well Brisbane campaign.
ClaimLord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the program to be delivered in the budget would be 'the biggest boost to active and healthy programs that the city has ever seen'.
ClaimThe council says it will formally seek an 80/10/10 funding split for the Story Bridge repairs: 80 per cent from the federal government, 10 per cent from the state, and 10 per cent from the council.