At its meeting on 17 June, Campaspe Shire Council adopted its 2025/26 Budget including Fees & Charges alongside the 2025–2029 Revenue and Rating Plan, following extensive community consultation.
Campaspe Shire Mayor Cr Daniel Mackrell said the adopted documents reflect Council's commitment to fairness, sustainability, and service delivery, shaped by valuable community feedback received throughout via in-person community forums and online feedback.
"These conversations helped Council better understand community expectations and have directly influenced the structure of this year's budget as well as the updated Revenue & Rating Plan," he said.
The 2025-26 Budget reflects Council's commitment to financial responsibility while responding to the evolving needs of the community. The budget has been set under the constraints of rate capping, with a 3% increase applied in line with the Victorian Government's cap.
Council has committed $195.4 million over the next four years to capital works, beginning with $42.82 million in 2025-26. This includes significant investment in roads, recreation, and community infrastructure, such as:
• $15.85 million for roads infrastructure renewal and upgrades.
• $14.53 million for the redevelopment of Victoria Park, Echuca.
• $2.96 million for the Wilf Cox Pavilion upgrade in Kyabram.
• $1.74 million for continued implementation of the Echuca Holiday Park master plan.
• $1.08 million for kerb and channel drainage works.
• $1 million for Shire-wide building renewals.
Council is also investing in the future of people and places, with operational funding allocated to:
• $500,000 for the Rochester recreation reserve facility detailed design.
• $135,000 for Waranga Rail Trail signage.
• $100,000 each for the Bridge-to-Bridge design, a new people strategy and gender equality action plan, and the implementation of the Economic Development and Tourism Strategy.
• $80,000 for urban design along the Northern Highway in Echuca.
• $70,000 for precinct structure planning review.
• $50,000 to implement the Emissions Reduction Action Plan.
The 2025-29 Revenue and Rating Plan outlines how Council will collect revenue over the next four years and includes detailed methodologies for rating different property types and outlines payment options, rebates, and debt recovery processes. In line with this plan, and through the budget fees and charges, Council is introducing a new Waste Facilities Levy together with reducing kerbside waste charges to ensure a fairer and more sustainable waste management fee structure.
Council has introduced the Waste Facilities Levy to fund the operation of Resource Recovery Centres and the rehabilitation of 12 closed landfills. The new levy will be partially offset through a decrease to kerbside bin collection charges to reflect changes in service funding.
This new charge will appear as a separate line item on rates notices. Previously covered by kerbside bin charges, these costs are now separated to improve transparency and ensure all properties contribute—regardless of whether they receive a kerbside bin service. Since all properties can access recovery centres and share responsibility for legacy landfill sites, the levy creates a fairer system for the whole community.
"This new change ensures that costs are more transparently and equitably distributed across the community." Cr Mackrell said.
The mayor emphasised the importance of community engagement in shaping the budget and the Revenue and Rating Plan.
"We're grateful for the community's engagement in shaping a budget that supports both immediate needs and long-term priorities.
"These documents balance the need for responsible financial management with the delivery of vital infrastructure and services that support the wellbeing and prosperity of our Shire," Cr Mackrell said.
The adopted documents are now available on Council's website at links below:
