09/06/2026
📖 Budget 101s 📖
As council prepares for the adoption of the budget on 17 June, we’re breaking down some of the terms you might hear along the way.
👉 This week: What is 'rate in the dollar' ?
Rate in the dollar is the formula council uses to calculate the rates for your property.
How it works:
1️⃣ We work out how much it costs to run the region
This covers the services and facilities we all use — like libraries, parks, roads, water, sewerage and rubbish collection.
2️⃣ We look at all other income
We also receive funding from other sources like grants, fees and charges, and utility charges. General rates covers what costs are left.
3️⃣ We calculate the 'rate in the dollar'
The remaining amount needed from general rates is divided by the total value of all properties in the region. This creates a small number called the 'rate in the dollar'.
4️⃣ You pay your share
Your property’s land valuation (as set by the Queensland Government’s State Valuation Service) is multiplied by this rate which helps spread the cost of council services across the community. Different property types (like residential, commercial, rural) will have a different ‘rate in the dollar’, but the way it's calculated is the same.
