Budget

Cairns Regional Council's 2025-26 Budget was handed down at a Special (Budget) Meeting on Wednesday 25 June 2025.

2025-26 Budget highlights

$723.7m total budget
$421.8m Capital Works budget
5.9% general rate rise (for the majority of ratepayers)
$40.7m to service and maintain community assets

Council Budget focuses on service delivery and long-term sustainability

Council's 2025/26 Budget sets a clear direction to meet the growing needs and expectations of the community and secure long-term financial sustainability.

Mayor's Budget address

This is a focused budget, built for the times. We are turning the page — from years of spending more than we had coming in, rising debt, and dwindling cash reserves — to a renewed focus on financial discipline.

Councillors' Budget addresses

Comments from each of the nine Divisional Councillors on the 2025-26 Budget.

Council delivers budget focused on essentials and community priorities

Cairns Regional Council has adopted its 2025/26 Budget, unveiling a record $421.8 million capital works program focused on essential infrastructure, community assets, and long-term sustainability.

Backing Cairns: Building a robust economy through industry, events

Cairns Regional Council’s 2025/26 Budget prioritises economic growth with targeted investment to attract visitors, support key industries, and grow local jobs.

Maintaining an enviable lifestyle through sporting and recreational facilities

Council is backing the city’s vibrant, outdoor lifestyle with major investment in local parks, sporting grounds, pools, footpaths and recreational facilities as part of the 2025/26 Budget.

New bridge for Holloways Beach reconnects and protects community

Construction of a new 80-metre, two-lane bridge at Casuarina Street, Holloways Beach, will begin later this year to permanently restore access to properties cut off by severe flooding in late 2023.

What this Budget means for you

Every $100 of your rates is invested in important community services and infrastructure.

2025-2026 Budget papers

Mayor's Budget address (153.2 KB)

Budget address by Cairns Mayor Amy Eden at the Special (Budget) meeting held on 25 June 2025.
2025-26 Budget snapshot (2.4 MB)

Snapshot of Cairns Regional Council's 2025-26 Budget.
2025-26 Budgeted financial statements and community financial report (552.9 KB)

2025-26 Budgeted Financial Statements and Community Financial Report, including estimated costs of commercial business units, long term financial forecast and Code of Competitive Conduct Statement.
Revenue Statement (1.4 MB)

Revenue Statement for the current Financial Year General Policy The Revenue Statement is produced in accordance with section 104 of the Local Government Act 2009 and sections 169 and 172 of the Local Government Regulation 2012
Clause No. 4.2 - Revenue Policy (2.7 MB)

Clause No. 4.2 - Revenue Policy
Clause No. 4.7 - Adoption of Fees and Charges for the 2025/26 Financial Year (1.5 MB)

Clause No. 4.7 - Adoption of Fees and Charges for the 2025/26 Financial Year
Clause No. 4.8 - Adoption of Differential General Rates for the 2025/26 Financial Year (644.4 KB)

Clause No. 4.8 - Adoption of Differential General Rates for the 2025/26 Financial Year

Last Updated: 9 July 2025

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