Noosa 360

BUDGET 2026 – 27 SUMMARY

The Queensland State Budget 2026-27 whilst having confirmations of previous commitments and some positive new allocations for the Noosa Electorate and Queensland, critical issues remain unresolved.

As Sandy highlighted in her Budget Reply Speech, housing remains the defining issue affecting Queenslanders. Despite announcements relating to increased housing supply, many workers, families and vulnerable Queenslanders remain unable to access secure and affordable accommodation. This and cost-of-living pressures continue to affect workforce participation, business viability, mental and physical health and community wellbeing. The pressures on frontline services, volunteers, charities and community organisations continue to grow from increasing numbers seeking assistance, who in turn are increasingly reliant on funding as donations continue to decrease.

The largest local investment remains the Lake Macdonald Dam Improvement Project, with $86.666 million allocated in 2026–27 and the total project cost now estimated at $427.670 million. Several previously announced local projects also continue, including $500,000 for upgraded public toilet amenities along the Gympie Terrace foreshore in Noosaville, a $962,000 fire hydrant upgrade at Sunshine Beach State High School,($705,000 in 2026–27), and ongoing progress on the Factory Street pedestrian crossing project in Pomona, Kin Kin Road upgrades and planning for the next stage of the Tewantin Bypass which both Noosa Council and TMR advise is on track. It is important to note that due to the change in QTRIP reporting the committed $30 million for this will not be visible until next year, and that there is no sign of any further commitments for the remaining stages.

While the Budget includes an additional $1.024 billion over five years towards social housing and the state’s target of 53,500 social homes by 2044, questions remain as to whether this reflects the true scale of need. Queensland’s social housing eligibility thresholds have remained unchanged for 20 years, leaving many low-income working families earning too much to qualify for assistance but too little to afford housing in the private market. Locally, $4.2 million over three years has been allocated towards civil and infrastructure works for the Lake Macdonald community housing development, while the Doonella Street Tewantin 32-unit social housing project forms part of the broader social housing investment program with an amended construction commencement date of November 2026. These projects are welcome, however, as Sandy noted in Parliament, this will not alleviate the situation confronting our workers who are sleeping in cars and require temporary accommodations whilst longer-term solutions are developed.

In health, the increase to the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme mileage rate from 34 cents to 45 cents per kilometre is welcome and reflects longstanding advocacy to improve support for regional patients travelling for treatment. However, the accommodation subsidy component sought has not been delivered, meaning many patients and families will continue to face significant out-of-pocket costs when specialist treatment requires overnight stays away from home. Additional funding from the Mental Health Levy is also positive, and we continue advocating to ensure Noosa receives from this the additional services sought by our community. There was no increase in dedicated funding for community-based palliative care services including hospices such as Katie Rose or Fraser Coast who currently are not operating and despite Queensland Health identifying decentralised services and local solutions as key priorities, concerns remain regarding ongoing efforts to centralise public dental services away from Noosa. We continue advocating for the retention of accessible services within our electorate.

There are positive statewide investments in child safety, foster care reform and responses to elder abuse, including implementation of recommendations arising from the Elder Abuse Inquiry. Some increases for specialised foster carers have also been identified; however, the majority remain without increases and further information will be sought on this, and the lack of dedicated funding for children in domestic and family violence refuges.

Funding associated with product stewardship, recycling reforms and implementation of the Queensland Waste Strategy aligns with advocacy regarding batteries, soft plastics, solar panels and circular economy initiatives. As previously announced, Noosa Shire Council has also received $2,182,856 to construct a covered resource recovery facility aimed at improving recycling and managing current and future waste streams in partnership with regional councils. Commitments regarding grassroots environmental grants and regionally focused management of feral pigs and wild dogs are also welcomed.

The Noosa Pirates Rugby League Club will receive solar panels through the Games On! Grassroots Infrastructure Program. However, funding sources has yet to be identified for upgrades sought by the Noosa Tigers Australian Football Club, Noosa Dolphins Rugby Union Club and Noosa Council’s aquatic and multi-purpose sporting facilities which include the needed extra basketball courts, all of which are important community assets and potential contributors to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games legacy.

Small and family businesses continue to experience rising operating costs, insurance premiums, workforce shortages and regulatory burdens. The Government has announced as part of this budget a 50% payroll rebate for apprentices and trainees, yet as we continue to advocate more relief measures are needed including expanded payroll and land tax relief to alleviate the pressures being experienced. No specific funding could be identified for a new Tinbeerwah Fire Brigade station, increased Maritime Safety Queensland resources, community legal centres, the Sunshine Beach State High Advanced Manufacturing Hub, or the Nambour-Gympie rail shuttle proposal.

Overall, there is progress on several local priorities, not so on others. As Sandy reflected in Parliament, this budget does not vary greatly from last years, and that the critical issue of genuine affordable housing across Queensland is not evident as top priority is deeply concerning. We will continue seeking clarification through Estimates, ministerial correspondence and departmental briefings and post up as received.

Sandy’s full Budget Reply Speech is available through the Official Parliamentary Record (Hansard), via https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/events/han/2026/2026_06_25_DAILY.pdf#page=95.

The following is a summary of Noosa Electorate-specific allocations identified so far.

Water and Energy

Lake Macdonald Dam Improvement Project – $86.666 million in 2026-27, with a total estimated project cost of $427.670 million.

Housing

62 Lake Macdonald Drive Community Housing Project – $4.2 million over three years towards civil and infrastructure works.
Doonella Street Tewantin 32-unit Social Housing Project – Confirmed to be covered in the broader $1.024 billion social housing investment programs.

Community Infrastructure

Gympie Terrace foreshore public toilet amenities – $500,000 in 2026-27, bringing the total to the committed to $1million.

Transport and Roads

Factory Street, Pomona pedestrian crossing – Detailed design completed, with procurement anticipated in late 2026 and construction expected to commence in 2027.
Kin Kin Road, Sallwood Court to Turnbull Road pavement strengthening and widening – Planning has been completed, with procurement scheduled for mid-2026 and construction anticipated to begin in late 2026.
Kin Kin Road, Williams Road to Western Branch Road pavement strengthening and widening – Planning has been completed, with procurement expected in late 2026 and construction anticipated to commence in early 2027.
Tewantin Bypass Stage 2 – Planning and detailed design work are continuing, with procurement currently scheduled for 2027-28 and construction anticipated to commence in 2028-29, subject to completion of the Commonwealth EPBC assessment process.