Draft Budget and Revenue and Rating Plan released for feedback

Published on 30 March 2026

Council’s draft Budget for 2026–2027 and draft Revenue and Rating Plan 2026-2029 are now open for public feedback.

The draft Budget outlines $118.21 million in income and $116.81 million in expenditure, delivering a $1.39 million operating surplus for 2026–2027. It also proposes a $15.12 million capital works program that focuses on essential renewals and upgrades across buildings, roads, drainage, parks, recreation facilities, and environmental infrastructure.

Mayor Naomi Joiner said the documents reflect Council’s commitment to balancing responsible financial management with delivering high‑value services and maintaining the Shire’s infrastructure.

“This year’s draft Budget focuses on getting the fundamentals right to maintain the services our community relies on every day, investing wisely in core infrastructure, and ensuring we remain financially sustainable,” Cr Joiner said.

“At the same time, we are proposing changes to our rating structure through the Revenue and Rating Plan to improve transparency and better recognise the environmental and agricultural contributions landholders make across our Shire.”

“Community input will help us finalise these documents. We know people are interested in how their rates are spent and how decisions are made about local priorities,” she said.

The draft Budget proposes a 2.75 per cent increase to general rates, consistent with the State Government’s Fair Go Rates System cap for 2026–2027, with Council confirming full compliance with rate‑capping requirements.

To improve transparency and fairness in the rating system, Council is proposing to introduce two new differential rating categories, Sustainable Agriculture and Trust for Nature (TFN), which replaces the existing rebate system with a clearer, more consistent framework built into the Revenue and Rating Plan.

Significant investment in community assets is planned, including:

$2.49 million for the Eltham Leisure Centre heat pump upgrade (funded through a combination of grants and borrowings)
$1.3 million for road and carpark renewals
$1.73 million for road upgrades, including road safety improvements
$1.06 million for rehabilitation works at the Kangaroo Ground landfill
Ongoing upgrades to sports grounds, trails, playgrounds and community facilities across the Shire

The draft Budget also includes a 4.26 per cent increase to the waste service standard charge, as Council continues transitioning to the Minister’s Good Practice Guidelines for Service Rates and Charges to ensure waste services remain transparent, cost‑reflective and sustainable.

The Draft Budget and Revenue and Rating Plan are available for feedback from Wednesday 25 March to Sunday 26 April 2026, with all submissions to be considered before Council finalises the documents in May.

To provide feedback visit Participate Nillumbik: participate.nillumbik.vic.gov.au/budget-2026