Brightly sits 33.0 kilometres from Brisbane CBD. Annual running costs for a house total $10,822, covering council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance. Unit costs come in at $8,302, as lower council rates more than offset the $1,400 body corporate levy. At 33.0km, the commute dominates running costs. Drivers pay $2,596 more per year than public transport users.
Annual cost — house
$10,822
Driving · per year
$902/month
Lower cost
Annual cost — unit
$8,302
Incl. body corporate
$692/month
House vs unit difference
−$2,520
Unit is cheaper per year
Annual cost breakdown
Council rates
Mackay Regional Council 2025-26
$1,328
Water & sewerage
Mackay Regional Council Water & Sewerage 2025-26
$1,906
Commute — driving
ATO 88c/km · 33.0km from CBD · 192 days
$2,788
Home insurance
Estimated — flood Low, fire Low
$4,800
Body corporate
Estimated
$1,400
Total annual running cost
$10,822
($902/month)
↑ 7% above Mackay Regional Council average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●●○○5.5/10
Compare Brightly with another suburb
Nearby: No nearby suburbs with data found
Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Brightly to the CBD?
Public transport saves Brightly residents $2,596 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $2,788 versus $192 by public transport using Translink's flat 50 cent fare.
What are the council rates in Brightly?
Brightly falls under Mackay Regional Council. The residential general rate for 2025–26 is $1,328 per year for an owner-occupied house. Unit owners in strata schemes pay $1,528 per year. These figures cover the general rate only and exclude waste and cleansing charges.
What does it cost to run a unit in Brightly?
Running a unit in Brightly costs approximately $8,302 per year by car or $5,706 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,528, water and sewerage $1,906, estimated body corporate levy of $1,400, and contents insurance of $680. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings — always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.
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Data sources: Council rates: Mackay Regional Council 2025-26. Water: Mackay Regional Council Water & Sewerage 2025-26. Commute: ATO cents per kilometre rate 2025–26 (88c/km). Insurance: AI-estimated, disclosed as estimate. Schools: ACARA NAPLAN 2025. Risk: Queensland Globe, QFES. Data updated July 2025. Cost estimates are for comparison purposes only and do not constitute financial, insurance, or credit advice.