Budget: Redland City Council agrees to 2.6 per cent rates increase, state bulk water charge up 6.8 per cent

Mayor Karen Williams said the council's 2019-20 budget offset the effects of the state government's revaluation process that increased property values in the Redlands by 10.9 per cent.

"The result is a balanced and affordable budget that supports the lifestyle that we love here," Cr Williams said.

"This reflects the need to continue to invest in the infrastructure that the community tells us that it wants prioritised, while working hard to bring the budget back into surplus by tightening our organisational belts and finding savings."

In a move that disappointed Cr Paul Bishop, the council has added seven new rating categories for the Aquatic Paradise Canal Estate. This is in line with the categories introduced for Raby Bay Canal Estate homeowners in this financial year.

Cr Wendy Boglary said councillors were very cognisant of the impact the rates revaluation process would have.

She said changes were made to rating categories and the formula used to have a fairer and more palatable rate increase.

Cr Tracey Huges said desperately needed lighting for St Anthony's Drive at Alexandra Hills remained unfunded, while Cr Peter Mitchell said council needed to deliver more for the Cleveland CBD.

The city's $58 million capital works program includes $21 million for roads, $9.5 million for playgrounds, parks and sports fields, $6.8 million for infrastructure like footpaths, cycle paths and the IndigiScapes expansion, $6.4 million for marine and foreshore projects and $4.8 million for water, waste and wastewater projects.

An owner-occupied household with a property value of about $266,122 would see a 2.66 per cent - or about 62 cents a week - rates increase. The increase for the main category covering small business would be 2.6 per cent.

Council will increase water-associated charges by less than 2 per cent, the first increase since the 2015-16 budget. But ratepayers would receive a 6.8 per cent state government bulk water increase, adding $37 to the average annual bill.

"To put it in perspective, this year's state rise will take this city's total bulk water bill to almost $40 million and nearly $172 million over five years," Cr Williams said.

The budget was also affected by the state government's new levy on waste sent to landfill. "While the state has provided a payment to partially cover the cost of its new waste levy, our real-world budgeting shows there will be a shortfall," Cr Williams said.

The budget showed a small projected operating surplus.

"By balancing the budget and ensuring there is no net debt through borrowing only for vital inter-generational assets, we have guaranteed this city's good financial health," she said.

"Our strong financial stewardship means we can secure the 61 hectares of Birkdale Commonwealth land and the site adjacent to the council reserve at Cleveland Point for the community."