Mareeba Shire Council adopts 2026/27 budget with rates and utility charges
Council has adopted the 2026/27 budget including differential general rates across 20 categories, sewerage, waste management, water and trade waste utility charges.
Mareeba Shire Council adopted the 2026/27 budget on 15 July 2026 at a special council meeting. The budget incorporates financial statements, a long-term financial forecast and revenue policy.
Council set differential general rates for 20 land categories ranging from residential urban (0.00676–0.01473 in the dollar) to heavy industry waste facilities (0.19091 in the dollar). Minimum general rates vary by category from nil to $143,314.
Utility charges were adopted for sewerage (Kuranda/Myola and Mareeba areas at $917–$1,123.50 per unit), waste management (wheelie bin $400 and facilities charge $209.50), water (fixed access charges $749.50–$8,119 plus tiered usage charges), and trade waste (categories 1–4 and industry at $0–$11,873.50 annually).
Council also adopted a special charge of $473 for the Irvinebank Reservoir Water Supply Benefited Area. The Chief Executive Officer was delegated power to identify the rating category for each parcel of rateable land.
What changed
- 2026/27 budget adopted with updated financial statements and long-term forecast
- Differential general rates set for 20 land use categories effective 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027
- Sewerage utility charges set for Kuranda/Myola and Mareeba areas
- Waste management charges set at $400 per wheelie bin and $209.50 facilities charge
- Water utility charges set on two-tier tariff system with fixed access and usage charges
- Trade waste charges set for five risk categories
- Irvinebank Reservoir Water Supply Benefited Area special charge set at $473
Who is affected
- All rateable property owners in Mareeba Shire across residential, commercial, industrial and primary production categories
- Properties in Kuranda/Myola and Mareeba sewerage areas
- Properties in waste collection service areas (Maps 4–15)
- Properties in water supply areas (Mareeba, Kuranda, Chillagoe, Dimbulah, Mt Molloy)
- Commercial and industrial properties discharging trade waste
- Properties in Irvinebank Reservoir Water Supply Benefited Area
Key dates
- 15 July 2026: Special Council Meeting at which budget was adopted
- 1 July 2026: Rates and utility charges commence for 2026/27 financial year
- 30 June 2027: Rates and utility charges end for 2026/27 financial year
What to do
- Review your property's rating category and applicable rates in the budget document
- Check if your property is in a sewerage, water or waste service area using the maps in the budget
- Contact Council if you believe your property has been incorrectly categorised
- Review Council's Water Leak Management Policy (pages 85–88 of budget) if you have concerns about water meter readings