Corangamite Shire Councillors adopted the 2025-2026 Budget at a special meeting in Camperdown yesterday.
Mayor Kate Makin said the $55.6 million Budget was focused on building a connected, thriving, healthy, active, and resilient community while improving the environment and demonstrating strong community leadership.
"This budget supports the strategic objectives outlined in the Community Vision 2040 and the new Council Plan 2025-2029," Cr Makin said.
"It includes a rate increase of 3% in line with the State Government rate cap.
"The waste management charge per eligible household will increase by 3.93%, due to higher State Government levies and waste collection costs."
"Despite those and other cost pressures, the budget maintains existing service levels and funds necessary capital projects.
"We have allocated $16.7 million for capital works including – but not limited to – roads and bridges, footpaths, buildings, and plant and equipment.
"The Budget maintains Council's financial stability while introducing new initiatives to benefit the community.
"In response to the economic and social pressures on our communities, Council has allocated $500,000 for a dedicated Drought Response Package.
"Specific programs will be confirmed after the State Government Drought Response Task Force announces its measures, so we don't duplicate."
New initiatives:
- Implementation of Grow Corangamite Planning Scheme Amendment
- Support for additional childcare capacity
- Stage 1 of the township signage renewal program
- Urban street tree audit
- Enhancements to digital systems and internal live-streaming capacity
- Progressing the Climate Change Action Plan and energy efficiency upgrades
Major investments:
- Roads, bridges and drainage - including rehabilitation, resheeting, and
kerb and channel.................................................................................................... $8.4 M
- Plant and equipment............................................................................................ $3.51 M
- Waste management............................................................................................. $2.87 M
- Building and improvements.............................................................................. $900,000
- Community grants.............................................................................................. $465,000
- Aiding childcare opportunities.......................................................................... $360,000
- Pool upgrades..................................................................................................... $350,000
- Footpaths and cycleways.................................................................................. $224,000
- Lismore footbridge replacement...................................................................... $196,000
Major road rehabilitations:
- Noogee Road widening (west of Terang)....................................................... $971,000
- Timboon Curdievale Road (Lambert to Haywards)...................................... $565,000
- Linton Road (south of Grists Road, Bradvale)............................................... $382,000
- Sisters Noorat Road (near Racecourse Road, Noorat)............................... $342,000
- Gnarpurt Road (south of Lower Darlington Road, Leslie Manor)............... $306,000
- Burkes Road (Thomson to Dow Street, Terang - High St service road).... $305,000
