General News
18 June, 2025
Council targets industry to avoid major rate rises
Mount Isa City Council will hit mining companies and FIFO accommodation providers in 2025-26.
The average Mount Isa resident will cop a 3.2 per cent general rates rise as the council looks to big business to pick up the slack on the increasing cost to run the city.
On Wednesday, Mount Isa City Council handed down its 2025-26 budget, which totals $125.9 million and features $26.9 million in capital works.
Residential properties that are the primary place of residence will pay an additional 3.2 per cent when they get their rates bill in the coming weeks.
Mines and some industrial sites will see rate increases of up to 10 per cent in 2025-26.
Mayor Peta MacRae said the council was keenly aware of the economic uncertainty Mount Isa faced around the mining sector.
“While we are confident these will be resolved, we recognise this lingering uncertainty does place great stress on households and businesses moving forward,” Cr MacRae said.
“It is always council’s intention to keep rates as low as possible, particularly for principal places of residence. Our strategy as a council is to encourage people to work and invest where they live.”
Cr MacRae said the council would access the $6.8 million from the state government’s Mount Isa Transition Fund to progress the projects outlined in the Future Ready Economy Roadmap, to help diversify and strengthen the city’s economy.
The capital works program for 2025-26 includes:
$5 million for water mains network reconfiguration works;
$2.74 million for the construction of Stage 1 of the John Campbell Miles Lookout;
$1.8 million for Stage 2 of the PCNP shared footpath on Fourth Avenue;
$1.3 million for road resurfacing and rejuvenation works.
Cr MacRae said Mount Isa City Council had made a strong commitment to the rural residents in terms of biosecurity, feral animal management, and truck washdown facilities.
She said the council was also committed to seeking funding opportunities for the Mount Isa Mine Workers’ Memorial.
“We will be seeking support to progress this project, both to commemorate the people that have given their lives in service of our town, and for city beautification, liveability, and somewhere of interest for tourists to visit,” Cr MacRae said.
More coverage of the budget will be in next week’s edition.