Murrindindi Shire Council is inviting residents, businesses and community groups to have their say on the draft Annual Budget 2026/27, now open for consultation and feedback.
The draft Budget has been developed in the context of the January 2026 bushfires and ongoing recovery, alongside cost-of-living pressures affecting households and businesses across the community. It sets out a measured, responsible and stabilising approach to maintaining essential services, supporting recovery and protecting Council's long-term financial sustainability.
Community members can provide feedback on the draft Budget until 5.00 pm on Tuesday 2 June 2026.
Council's draft Budget takes a cautious approach, focusing on holding Council's financial position steady while the full financial impacts of the January fires continue to emerge and funding arrangements from other levels of government become clearer.
The draft Budget focuses on:
- Maintaining current service levels, rather than investing in a range of new initiatives
- A $15.6 million capital works program, focused primarily on renewing and upgrading existing infrastructure
- Continuing investment in community recovery and resilience initiatives.
The budget includes a proposed average rate increase of 2.75%, in line with the State Government rate cap.
Some properties affected by the January 2026 bushfires have reduced property values and will pay rates based on those lower valuations. Council has formally requested State Government funding to offset this reduction in rate revenue, consistent with previous disasters, to ensure the impact is not passed on to other ratepayers.
With a combined operating and capital budget of $62.7 million, the draft Budget forecasts a slight surplus of $0.57 million; however, Council's underlying operating position remains in deficit, reflecting broader structural financial challenges facing many rural councils.
Mayor Cr Damien Gallagher said the draft budget reflects the reality of balancing recovery, service delivery and long-term sustainability in a challenging environment.
"This is not an easy budget. It is a careful and deliberate draft developed to maintain essential services and ensure we are well placed to support our community as recovery continues."
Cr Gallagher said Council remains focused on its long-term direction despite the challenges.
"Despite these pressures, Council remains committed to the long-term vision set out in the Council Plan," he said.
"We look to the coming year with optimism as we progress some important long-term initiatives including completing the Eildon Key Worker Housing Project, upgrading the Kinglake Memorial Reserve Oval, delivering a new mobile library and customer service vehicle and implementing the Urban Tree Strategy."
"At the same time, we will continue to advocate strongly to other levels of government for funding that better reflects the scale of impact experienced in our community and supports delivery of core services and infrastructure."
Cr Gallagher encouraged the community to provide feedback on the draft budget.
"Community input is an important part of this process. We want to hear from our residents, businesses and community groups about what matters most to them as we plan for the year ahead."
Chief Executive Officer Livia Bonazzi said the draft Budget reflects a deliberate and disciplined approach in a highly uncertain environment.
"This is a stabilising budget, designed to protect Council's financial sustainability, maintain essential services and ensure we retain the capacity to respond as recovery continues," Ms Bonazzi said.
"We do not yet have full visibility of the long-term financial impacts of the bushfires, particularly in relation to our assets and future funding. This budget allows us to pause, take stock and recalibrate, rather than commit to decisions ahead of that clarity."
"Like many rural councils, we are managing rising costs, constrained revenue and increasing reliance on external funding. These pressures mean difficult choices, and reinforce the importance of sustainable funding arrangements."
The draft Budget also acknowledges ongoing financial challenges, including rising costs such as fuel, constrained revenue under rate capping, and reliance on external funding to deliver key projects and recovery efforts.
Community members can provide feedback:
- Online via Council's website
- In writing by making a submission
- In person by registering to speak to their submission at the Council Meeting on Wednesday 3 June 2026 at the Alexandra Council Chamber
Submissions and registrations to speak to them close on Tuesday 2 June 2026.
All feedback received will be considered by Council before the final Budget is presented for adoption at the scheduled Council Meeting on Wednesday 17 June 2026.
To view the draft Budget and make a submission, visit our community engagement platform The Loop.
