Cardinia Shire Council's draft 2025–35 Financial Plan is now available for community feedback.
The draft plan is a 10-year financial roadmap that will enable Council to deliver on the new Council Plan, continue to deliver valued services and projects, and ensure that the organisation remains financially sustainable into the future. It outlines how Council will respond to its financial challenges and prepare for the future.
The Local Government Act 2020 requires councils to prepare a long-term financial plan in the year following a Council election.
Cardinia Shire Mayor Cr Jack Kowarzik said the Financial Plan had been developed with input from the Community Panel as part of the deliberative engagement process earlier this year to develop the Council Plan and associated strategic documents.
"The Community Panel encouraged Council to look for alternative revenue sources, to be transparent about fees, and to align investments with community needs – and that's exactly what has been captured in this plan," Mayor Kowarzik said.
"In response to the community feedback, the plan incorporates operational efficiencies aimed at keeping costs low while delivering high-value services and programs.
"While Council's financial position is currently stable, we need to ensure that we can continue to respond to challenges and remain financially sustainable into the future.
"We have continued to invest in what's important to our community, including maintaining our unsealed roads, enhancing existing assets, supporting community growth, and delivering essential services. However, increasing costs are placing significant pressure on Council's resources, making it more difficult to maintain current service and infrastructure levels while responding to our shire's rapid growth, and increased demand and expectations."
Mayor Kowarzik said the Financial Plan would support Council to deliver on its commitment to the community as part of the new Council Plan and other key strategic documents.
"This long-term financial plan sets us up to deliver on the strategic objectives of the new Council Plan to help us achieve the Community Vision, ensuring that Cardinia Shire remains a place to live, now and into the future."
To view the draft 2025–35 Financial Plan and provide feedback, please visit www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/haveyoursay
Consultation closes on 30 September.
