Syndicate sits 75.6 kilometres from Brisbane CBD. Annual running costs for a house total $16,101, covering council rates, water and sewerage, commute and home insurance. Unit costs come in at $11,621, as lower council rates more than offset the $1,600 body corporate levy. At 75.6km, the commute dominates running costs. Drivers pay $6,195 more per year than public transport users.
Annual cost — house
$16,101
Driving · per year
$1,342/month
Lower cost
Annual cost — unit
$11,621
Incl. body corporate
$968/month
House vs unit difference
−$4,480
Unit is cheaper per year
Annual cost breakdown
Council rates
Cairns Regional Council 2025-26
$1,121
Water & sewerage
Cairns Regional Council Water & Sewerage 2025-26
$1,793
Commute — driving
ATO 88c/km · 75.6km from CBD · 192 days
$6,387
Home insurance
Estimated — flood Low, fire Low
$6,800
Body corporate
Estimated
$1,600
Total annual running cost
$16,101
($1,342/month)
↑ 15% above Cairns Regional Council average
SuburbCost affordability score ●●○○○4.6/10
Compare Syndicate with another suburb
Nearby: No nearby suburbs with data found
Is it cheaper to drive or take public transport from Syndicate to the CBD?
Public transport saves Syndicate residents $6,195 per year. Annual commute cost by car is $6,387 versus $192 by public transport using Translink's flat 50 cent fare.
What are the council rates in Syndicate?
Syndicate falls under Cairns Regional Council. The residential general rate for 2025–26 is $1,121 per year for an owner-occupied house. Unit owners in strata schemes pay $1,121 per year. These figures cover the general rate only and exclude waste and cleansing charges.
What does it cost to run a unit in Syndicate?
Running a unit in Syndicate costs approximately $11,621 per year by car or $5,426 by public transport. This includes council rates of $1,121, water and sewerage $1,793, estimated body corporate levy of $1,600, and contents insurance of $720. Body corporate fees vary significantly between buildings — always confirm the actual levy before purchasing.
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Data sources: Council rates: Cairns Regional Council 2025-26. Water: Cairns 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.