Gold Coast City Council Convenes Special Budget Session as 2026-27 Fiscal Planning Intensifies

Gold Coast Government Activities for Monday, 16 February 2026

The City of Gold Coast has officially convened a Special Budget Meeting today, Monday, 16 February 2026, to deliberate on the critical financial allocations for the upcoming 2026-27 fiscal year. Held at the Council’s Civic Chamber in Bundall, the session represents a significant milestone in the city’s legislative calendar as councillors work to balance infrastructure demands with the rising costs of community services.

Pivotal Budget Deliberations Underway

The Special Budget Meeting is primarily focused on reviewing committee reports and finalizing the draft strategies that will shape the Gold Coast’s economy and lifestyle over the next year. Today’s discussions are expected to prioritize future-proofing local infrastructure to accommodate rapid population growth. Key agenda items for today’s session include:

• Reviewing proposed investments in transport and coastal infrastructure upgrades.
• Allocating funds for environmental resilience and heritage protection initiatives.
• Determining the final framework for the 2026-27 rates and utility charges.
• Assessing the budgetary impact of major international events scheduled for the city throughout 2026.

The council is also expected to address petition responses regarding transport for Springbrook and the master plan for the Snapper Rocks to Rainbow Bay foreshore precinct, following preliminary committee work completed earlier this month.

Final Call for Public Feedback

Today also serves as the final deadline for the "Have Your Say on City Budget" initiative. Since late January, the Council has been soliciting direct input from residents regarding their priorities for the 2026-27 budget. Public feedback is scheduled to close at the end of the business day today, 16 February. After the deadline, the suggestions will be collated and reviewed for formal inclusion in the final budget documents.

Community input has historically played a vital role in shaping local projects. This year, resident feedback has focused heavily on beach nourishment, park upgrades, and the maintenance of recreational facilities across the northern and southern corridors of the coast.

Looking Ahead to Full Council Session

While the Special Budget Meeting takes center stage today, political activity continues tomorrow. The Full Council is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, 17 February 2026, to formally ratify decisions made during today's session and other committee meetings. Of note, Mayor Tom Tate was previously granted a leave of absence for tomorrow’s session, making today’s budget deliberations even more critical as the council seeks to establish a firm consensus on fiscal priorities before formal voting commences.