Council last night adopted the Budget 2025/2026 marking a bold step forward with substantial investment in everyday infrastructure and transformative projects, including the redevelopment of Bendigo Art Gallery.
For the first time, the Budget and the newly adopted Council Plan Mir wimbul 2025-2029 have been developed and planned together to ensure a strong alignment between strategic goals and the resources required to achieve them.
These milestone documents have been shaped through extensive community engagement that began back in late 2024.
The Budget 2025/2026 has an annual action plan to ensure efficient and sustainable delivery of services.
Mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf said investing in long term projects supported Greater Bendigo's growth.
"We have some very exciting projects ahead that are vital for the region's future economic success," Cr Metcalf said.
"The $45M redevelopment of the Bendigo Art Gallery will reshape the region's future.
As the largest infrastructure project ever undertaken by Council, it will elevate the Gallery's status as a cultural and economic asset for both our region and the state of Victoria. Council's $9M investment has helped secure more than $34M in external funding, including $21M from the State Government, $4M from the Gallery Board and more than $9M in philanthropic donations - an amazing achievement.
"Funding partners are critical to major project delivery across Bendigo, including the State Government fully funding the redevelopment of the Bendigo Bowls and Croquet Clubs, and investing in the Bendigo Low Line Walking and Cycling Trail between Golden Square and White Hills.
"All three levels of government have invested in the North Bendigo Recreation Reserve stage 1 pavilion works, and the Federal Government and the City are also upgrading the Golden Square Recreation Reserve Pavilion and jointly investing in the new Heathcote Civic Precinct.
"The Budget will invest in important infrastructure used daily in the community. There are around 230 road renewals, 12 new footpaths, 14 footpath renewals, new roundabouts, tram track upgrades, bridge renewals, Waratah Road and Midland Highway intersection signalisation, playspace renewals and much more.
"Developing the Council Plan and Budget at the same time has ensured that our strategic goals are directly supported by the projects and initiatives we're funding.
"Top priorities identified through community engagement are roads, (including public and active transport), waste management, and parks and trails. The recurring themes were for Greater Bendigo to be responsible, healthy, thriving and welcoming.
"The Budget 2025/2026 has been developed to be fiscally responsible while managing community expectations. This is a balanced approach that reflects our commitment to deliver around 60 essential community services, progress multi-year capital works, and maintain essential infrastructure used daily in the community.
"There are limited funds available and this Budget seeks to address these concerns by continuing to fund existing services wisely and prioritise works and services in a responsible manner."
The Budget has been developed in line with the State Government's rate cap of 3 per cent. As with previous years, Council has not applied for a variation to the rate cap as it seeks to absorb increasing costs for supplies, goods and services.
There will be no increase to waste charges for ratepayers in the new financial year.
The Budget 2025/2026 is valued at $259M, with an operating budget of $189M funding services like waste collection, street cleaning, environmental health, statutory planning, road maintenance, flood restoration works, early learning, immunisation, tourism and visitor services, and much more, and a capital works budget of $70M for new infrastructure projects across the community.
