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Cairns Council Adopts Budget and Parking Rules While Addressing Mayor Accountability
Recent council decisions set the 2026-27 budget, adjust parking fees and require reimbursement from the mayor on prior costs.
How we reported this
Cairns Regional Council has adopted its 2026-27 budget and introduced parking changes while requiring Mayor Amy Eden to apologise and reimburse costs tied to misconduct findings.
Budget Adoption and Rates
The council approved a $785.6 million budget for 2026-27 that includes a 3.95 percent general rates rise. This produces a total annual increase of approximately 7.5 percent, or roughly $283, for a median residential property. The budget sets the framework for local services and infrastructure spending over the coming year.
Capital Works Allocation
Of the total budget, $308 million is directed to capital works. This includes $136.6 million for water infrastructure, $34.5 million for transport projects and $18.8 million for disaster recovery. These allocations determine how the council maintains essential services such as water supply, roads and resilience measures in the region.
Parking Adjustments
New parking rules took effect on 1 July 2026. On-street parking fees rose to $2.40 per hour, and two-hour limits were introduced for centre-median parking on weekdays and Saturday mornings. The changes affect parking availability and costs in central areas.
Mayor Accountability Measures
The council unanimously required Mayor Amy Eden to reimburse $15,000 in excess insurance costs paid for her legal assistance in earlier misconduct matters involving leaked confidential information. She was also mandated to apologise to constituents following admission of a third misconduct case that included a conflict of interest in preferred supplier selection connected to a business owned by a friend. These steps form part of the council's handling of governance matters.
The decisions shape how rates revenue supports services and how accountability processes operate within the council. Residents can review the adopted budget and updated parking rules through council channels to understand impacts on household costs and daily use of public spaces.