Queensland Property Values Surge Over 50%, Increasing Rate Hike Likelihood

Rowan Ashford

Published: March 10, 2026 11:15 PM ET

Recent data indicates a significant surge in property values across Queensland, with increases exceeding 50% in regions like Ipswich. This trend is likely to influence local council rates and land tax bills moving forward.

Queensland Property Values Surge Over 50%

According to Queensland’s Valuer-General, Laura Dietrich, new land valuations were released for over 500,000 landowners across 15 local government areas. Ipswich recorded the highest growth, with property values rising by 51%, amounting to approximately $49 billion across more than 90,000 properties.

Factors Influencing the Surge

The rise in Ipswich’s property values can be attributed to several factors:

Affordability of housing compared to other southeast Queensland markets
Increased availability of land

In other notable areas, the Gold Coast saw property values increase by 23%, totaling over $195 billion for about 152,000 properties. This growth is driven by a surge in interstate and overseas migration, along with substantial investments in infrastructure, such as the Coomera Connector motorway and light rail expansions.

Valuation Increases in Other Regions

The Sunshine Coast experienced a 24% valuation increase, with nearly 117,000 homes valued at close to $90 billion. Other regions facing significant increases include:

Lockyer Valley: up 56%
Noosa Shire: up 37%
Redland City: up 20%

However, not all regions reflected this upward trend. Brisbane, Logan, Townsville, and Cairns saw their property values remain unchanged.

Impact of Valuations on Council Rates

Laura Dietrich emphasized that land valuations are only one aspect councils consider when determining rates. Each local council independently establishes its rating structure and revenue needs. Therefore, an increase in land value does not automatically lead to a rise in council rates.

The latest land valuation was conducted on October 1 and will take effect in June. Weather events, such as the severe flooding in January, were not considered in these current valuations. Ms. Dietrich acknowledged that many residents may be facing challenges due to recent flooding and advised those affected to reach out for clarification on their property valuations.

Remarkable Increases in Regional Areas

The North Burnett Regional Council experienced the most substantial increase, with land values rising by 85%. Etheridge Shire followed closely behind with a 79% increase. The surge in agricultural regions is largely due to primary producers strategically acquiring valuable properties.

For inquiries regarding land valuations, residents can find contact details for the Queensland Land Valuation office on their official website.