Council’s proposed 2026/27 budget outlines a $422,000 improvement in the cash balance, with an adjusted underlying operating deficit of $3.56 million. The budget responds to ongoing financial pressures, including rising service delivery costs, rate capping and uncertainty in government funding.
The Budget applies a 2.75 per cent rate increase, in line with the Victorian Government’s Fair Go Rates System, delivers a $22.27 million capital works program, and includes no new borrowings.
In preparing the Budget, Council has made a number of decisions to protect its cash balance, including reducing operating costs by more than $2.8 million.
In 2026/27, the community will notice some reductions in activity, including fewer events with the removal of the 2027 Outdoor Ball, and a reduction in community, tourism and event grants from $245,000 in 2025/26 to $121,000 in 2026/27. Council will also reduce spending on contractors, marketing, externally procured tourism services and strategy development, while limiting investment in new capital projects.
Most user fees and charges will increase by 3.4 per cent, broadly in line with inflation and service delivery costs, contributing to projected revenue of $13.34 million in 2026/27.
Waste services continue to face significant cost pressures, including rising transport, fuel and contractor costs, resulting in a 6 per cent increase in waste charges. The separate glass recycling service introduced last year will continue at no additional cost in 2026/27.