When rate notices landed in mailboxes across Forest Lake this month, many residents did a double-take. In some suburbs, rates exceeded the citywide average by far. For families already watching every dollar, it raised a simple question: What exactly are we paying for?
A Growing Suburb With Growing Costs
Across Forest Lake Ward—which includes Richlands (7.34%), Inala (3.92%), Doolandella (6.25%), Ellen Grove (4.7%), Durack (5.35%) and Forest Lake (5.74%) itself—rate increases this year ranged from just under 4% to well over 7%. That’s higher than Brisbane’s average increase of 3.87%, and well above the national inflation rate of 2.4%.
Residents say it’s not just about the numbers. It’s about what’s missing.
Some have pointed to local parks that still wait for promised improvements. Others note that community groups, such as the Forest Lake Men’s Shed, are still without a permanent home after years of waiting. And in areas like Ellen Grove, newer housing developments continue to emerge, even as key infrastructure, such as signalised intersections and proper sewerage, lags behind.
The Things People Notice
At Kelvin Close Park, there’s still no walkway lighting. For those who walk home from work or take an evening stroll, that small detail makes a big difference. Community members have raised it before. It’s still on the to-do list.
And then there’s the dumping of tyres in bushland—an issue that keeps coming back. People wonder why local waste centres won’t take tyres when other councils do. It’s something they say could be solved with better services, not just warnings and fines.
Signs of Progress, but Gaps Remain
The new budget isn’t without wins for the ward. Upgrades are coming to some roads, new cricket nets are planned for Forest Lake, and a mobile safety camera will be deployed to monitor hotspot areas. Rosella Street Park is getting new playground equipment, and some landscaping improvements are on the way for Lake Parklands.
Still, others have noticed that park maintenance funding appears to have taken a hit. With many parks in Forest Lake used daily by families, grandparents and children, even small delays in upkeep are hard to miss.
A Call for Inclusion, Not Just Investment
As Brisbane plans for more growth and new businesses, local residents say they want to be part of that future too. Business support programmes exist, but many are only available in central locations. For small business owners in the outer suburbs, that often means missing out, not due to lack of interest, but lack of access.
Whether it’s roads, lighting, parks or planning, the message from many Forest Lake residents is consistent: they want to see investment match the pace of development.
Published 27-June-2025
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