Burke Shire Council Adopts record $211.59 million Budget with Focus on

Published on 14 July 2026

MEDIA RELEASE

Burke Shire Council Adopts Gulf's Largest Budget with Focus on the Essentials

Burke Shire Council has adopted its 2026/27 Operational Plan and Budget, delivering a record $211.59 million Budget, the largest in Burke Shire's history and the largest local government budget in the Gulf region. Yet despite its record size, Council says the message behind this year's Budget is not about spending more; it is about delivering the services that matter most and ensuring they can be maintained for generations to come.

Shaped by the vision of the Mayor and Councillors, together with community feedback through Council's Your Budget, Your Say survey, the Budget reflects a clear message from residents: focus on the essentials. From maintaining roads and drainage to delivering reliable water, waste and community services, the 2026/27 Budget places the community's priorities at the centre of Council's investment decisions.

Mayor Ernie Camp said the Budget reflects Council's core purpose of serving the Burke community. "First and foremost, Burke Shire Council exists to serve the people of Burke Shire. "Our community told us they wanted us to focus on the essentials, and that's exactly what we've done. This Budget invests in the roads we drive on, the water and sewer services we rely upon, the facilities our families use and the infrastructure that keeps our communities connected. "At the same time, there's no point having money in the bank if the roads are falling apart or our infrastructure isn't fit for purpose. This Budget seeks to balance responsible saving with prudent investment, placing Council in a strong financial position to continue investing in the infrastructure our community depends on, not just today, but well into the future. "We're building a Burke Shire that is more flood resilient, more attractive to investment and better positioned to take advantage of the opportunities emerging across the Gulf, while preserving the close-knit community that makes Burke Shire the best place in the Gulf to live, work and visit."

The Budget delivers $68.9 million in capital investment, supporting roads, water and sewer infrastructure, disaster resilience, community facilities and essential local government services across Burketown, Gregory and the wider Shire. A key feature of this year's Budget is the launch of Council's 10 for 10 Initiative, a long-term commitment to build $10 million in unrestricted cash reserves over the next decade, strengthening Council's capacity to maintain its growing portfolio of community assets into the future.

Chief Executive Officer Zac Revere said the initiative reflects a shift in how Council is approaching long-term sustainability. "Small remote councils like Burke Shire are not immune to the economic pressures facing communities across Australia. In fact, I would argue we're among the most susceptible and often the first forgotten. Rising construction costs, inflation and the increasing cost of maintaining infrastructure affect us just as much as anyone else, but distance and seasonal conditions amplify those challenges in remote communities. "Our Mayor has made it clear that his vision is to see a community underpinned by fit-for-purpose infrastructure that supports both today's needs and tomorrow's opportunities. That's why we've introduced the 10 for 10 Initiative. Every road, park, building and public facility we create becomes a long-term responsibility, and this initiative ensures we're planning not just to build that infrastructure, but to maintain it to the standard our community expects for decades to come.

"Everywhere I go, people remark on how well maintained Burketown and Gregory are. Visitors are often surprised that such a remote community takes such pride in its streets, parks and public spaces. The 10 for 10 Initiative is about protecting that reputation by ensuring we don't just build great infrastructure, we have the financial capacity to maintain it so Burke Shire remains a community we're proud to call home and one that continues to leave a lasting impression on everyone who visits."

The Budget also reinforces Council's commitment to advocating for major regional resilience projects through the inclusion of its Local Resilience Action Plan for the first time within Council's Operational Plan and Budget. Rather than a planning document that sits on a shelf, the Plan is now embedded within Council's planning and budgeting framework, ensuring it continues to guide Council's advocacy and investment priorities. Its inclusion sends a clear message to the Queensland and Australian Governments that resilience is not simply a local government responsibility, but a shared responsibility requiring long-term partnership and investment across all levels of government.

While this year's Budget is the largest ever delivered by Burke Shire Council, Mayor Camp said its success would not be measured by its size. "A budget isn't successful because it's big. It succeeds when it delivers tangible outcomes that strengthen and sustain our communities and businesses. This Budget is about ensuring Burke Shire remains a strong, resilient and sustainable community for many years to come."

DOWNLOAD BUDGET 2026/2027

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Shelly Holland

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