Augustine Heights vs Bellbird Park, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Augustine Heights and Bellbird Park are both Ipswich City Council suburbs, sitting 25.7 km and 23 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Bellbird Park runs $369 a year cheaper than Augustine Heights, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,230.
Over 10 years, Bellbird Park costs about $4,200 less to run than Augustine Heights. That's about $8 a week.
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Bellbird Park
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Augustine Heights | Bellbird Park | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,298 | $1,298 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,096 | $5,727 | +$369 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,200 | $2,300 | -$100 |
| Total (driving) | $11,394 | $11,025 | +$369 |
| Total (public transport) | $5,490 | $5,490 | - |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Augustine Heights | Bellbird Park | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,135 | $2,135 | - |
| Unit | $1,776 | $1,776 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2026-27 regulated prices for each suburb's electricity network, including supply charge (AER Default Market Offer caps, or the QCA price in regional Queensland; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown, Augustine Heights vs Bellbird Park (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bellbird Park costs $369 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,230 in favour of Bellbird Park.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $369 per year. Augustine Heights is 25.7 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $5,490 and $5,490 a year, so the $369 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,298 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,900 a year.
- Driving commute favours Bellbird Park by $369 a year, $5,727 against $6,096.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,100 a year.
Both suburbs sit in the same council area, so the rates line is identical and none of the difference between them comes from council. What separates them is commute distance.
The catchment state school scores 6.9 in Augustine Heights against 5.6 in Bellbird Park, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Augustine Heights cumulative | Bellbird Park cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,394 | $11,025 | $369 |
| Year 3 | $35,218 | $34,077 | $1,141 |
| Year 5 | $60,492 | $58,533 | $1,959 |
| Year 10 | $130,619 | $126,389 | $4,230 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Augustine Heights or Bellbird Park cheaper to live in?
Bellbird Park is cheaper to run by car at $11,025 per year versus $11,394 for Augustine Heights, a difference of $369 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Augustine Heights and Bellbird Park?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,298 in Augustine Heights (Ipswich City Council) and $1,298 in Bellbird Park (Ipswich City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Augustine Heights and $1,900 in Bellbird Park. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Augustine Heights and Bellbird Park?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,096 from Augustine Heights and $5,727 from Bellbird Park to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Augustine Heights and $192 from Bellbird Park.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Augustine Heights and Bellbird Park?
At 3% annual cost growth, Augustine Heights costs a cumulative $130,619 and Bellbird Park costs $126,389 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,230 in favour of Bellbird Park. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Augustine Heights and Bellbird Park suits you better?
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Sources: Ipswich City Council and Ipswich City Council rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.