FAQs

The proposed rates increase is 5.5 per cent. This equates to an increase of $104.99 per year or $2.02 per week for an average single dwelling property (increase will vary based on Unimproved Capital Value of properties). We have made a deliberate effort to balance rising costs with service delivery, and to keep costs down wherever possible while continuing to meet the needs of our community. We understand the pressures of the rising cost of living and the impact this is having on households and businesses across our community.

City of Darwin proposes to collect $83.7 million from general rates in 2026/2027, $10.4 million waste levy for kerbside collection and $1.2 million parking rate shortfall.

• 591 hectares of green space,
• 221 parks
• 421 kilometres of stormwater infrastructure 
• 10,150 street and public lights
• 129 playgrounds 
• 632 kilometres of footpaths and walkways,
• 475 kilometres of roads,
• 19 sporting grounds and ovals, 
• 9 basketball courts and 8 tennis courts, 
• 6 childcare centres, 4 libraries and 3 swimming pools. 
• City of Darwin also operates the region’s only waste management facility, the Shoal Bay Waste Management Facility. 

We have committed to an operating spend of $157.77 million, which focuses on prioritising essential services to ensure the city is operating at its best.

This is supported by a comprehensive capital works program, with $23.56 million allocated to supporting liveability in Darwin and stimulating the local business economy.

• $23.56 million on capital works program  
• $2.05 million investment in sports and recreation facilities, including stage 2 of the Waters Ward Multigenerational Recreation Space, playground and softfall refurbishment and a land-based fishing platform at Bundilla 
• $5.3 million for libraries (including capital funding)
• $31.92 million in waste management  
• $10 million for maintaining our parks, including $3.3 million for tree planting and maintenance 
• $2 million for animal management 
• $1.6 million on supporting our community through sponsorship, grants and in-kind support 
• $1.75 million in creating a safer Darwin, including the Safer Cities program and the public places and suburban ranger programs. 
• $9.2 million to support connectivity and accessibility, including road and path networks 

City of Darwin plans to invest:

• $9.27 million in the maintenance and upgrades of community roads and pathways.
• $4.5 million is allocated to stormwater upgrades and reconstruction.
• $3.42 million will be spent at Shoal Bay Waste Management Facility for stage 7 construction and associated works. 
• $2.5 million is allocated to maintenance of plant and equipment.
• $2.05 million investment in sports and recreation facilities, including stage 2 of the Waters Ward Multigenerational Recreation Space, playground and softfall refurbishment and a land-based fishing platform at Bundilla.
• $1.83 million is allocated to environmental initiatives, buildings maintenance, street lighting and public art.

The kerbside waste collection charge increase reflects the cost of collection and contributes towards the current and future costs of operating, maintaining and rehabilitating the Shoal Bay Waste Management Facility. 

To meet these costs, it is proposed that the levy increases by $14.57 per annum to $378.95, or an increase of $0.28 per week. This is a 4% increase and is in alignment with the long-term financial plan. 

Combining both the rates and the annual waste charge, an average valued single dwelling property can expect to pay $2,392.76 per annum, or $46.01 per week. This is an increase of just $2.30 per week compared to the 2025/2026 financial year. 

Waste management charges for residents and commercial operators support both operational costs and significant capital upgrades required for environmental compliance, recycling, and ensuring the long-term capacity of Shoal Bay Waste Management Facility. 

City of Darwin residents who pay the waste charge are provided with domestic waste and recycling collection services and free disposal of domestic quantities of household waste in a non-commercial vehicle via Shoal Bay Waste Management Facility access tags.  

Waste management charges are proposed to increase by 4% this financial year due to escalating waste collection costs. 

We will invest in creating a connected and energetic community by dedicating $2.05 million for sport and recreation within Darwin. This includes $147,000 for accessible land-based fishing at Bundilla, $273,000 to be spent on playground refurbishment, including softfall across the municipality and $1.65 million for the multigenerational recreation space in Waters Ward stage 2 works. 

We will continue to support events and activities by allocating $1.65 million to community groups through sponsorships, grants and in-kind funding

In the financial year 2025/2026, the general rate increase was 2.5 per cent. With the proposed rate increase for 2026/2027 of 5.5%, this is 4 per cent average over the past two years.  

City of Darwin is ensuring long-term financial sustainability by balancing cost-of-living pressures with essential service delivery and infrastructure investment. A key focus is investing in asset renewal, which helps extend the life of infrastructure and reduce future maintenance costs, improving overall efficiency and long-term value for money.

Ensuring projects are delivered on time and on budget happens with strong project planning, effective procurement and contract management, and ongoing monitoring and reporting to track progress, manage risks, and maintain cost control throughout delivery.

The 2026/2027 draft budget has been developed to align with the Strategic Plan 2030 by balancing affordability for the community with the need to adequately fund operational requirements and deliver key strategic priorities.

A careful and responsible approach was used to minimise the proposed rate increase by closely reviewing all expenditure, prioritising essential services, and identifying efficiencies across operations.

Maintaining core infrastructure - roads, drainage, waste facilities, parks and footpaths - is essential to the city’s safety, functionality and liveability. Prioritising these areas ensures long‑term sustainability.

Ageing infrastructure, climate impacts, increasing stormwater demands and rising construction costs are key challenges for City of Darwin when maintaining infrastructure. The 2026/2027 draft plan and budget aims to maintain these assets to ensure longevity and to minimise ongoing costly maintenance.