Liverpool Council Unveils $531M Draft Budget

Liverpool City Council has released its draft 2025/26 Budget, outlining a $531 million plan to deliver essential services and infrastructure in support of a growing city.

The Mayor of Liverpool City, Ned Mannoun, said the budget is designed to continue to create a global city and is a response to the pressures of being one of Australia's fastest growing cities.

"This balanced Budget is more than numbers on a sheet. It shapes the future of everyone living in Liverpool. We're building a better Liverpool together," Mayor Mannoun said.

"It enables your Council to provide the services and facilities the city needs, ranging from roads, footpaths and parks through to childcare centres, libraries, community facilities and drainage infrastructure.

"We are boosting expenditure on frontline operations and budgeting for a modest surplus with healthy cash reserves," he said.

Mayor Mannoun said Liverpool Council is also looking for alternate forms of income to reduce its reliance on rates.

"The Council is going to instigate projects that create income and find ways to make money from its operations and its property portfolio," Mayor Mannoun said.

"For example, The Croc mattress shredder has turned landfill waste into product with the potential of turning an $800,000 landfill cost into a potential $1 million income earner.

"Monetising council facilities such as our truck washer and large vehicle servicing depot will all help reduce our reliance on rates as a major revenue source," he said.

The draft Budget includes $247 million in capital works, with significant investment in roads, bridges and footpaths ($111 million), buildings ($10 million), and drainage and floodplain infrastructure ($26 million) and parks and recreation ($26 million) and a $652,000 acquisition program so our library readers have the latest books and materials.

"This capital investment delivers both upgrades to facilities and the new projects needed in our growth areas," Mayor Mannoun said.

"Council is investing around $1million a working day to deliver the facilities our community needs," he said.

At a community level, Council continues to improve access to local sport and recreation, with upgrades and new facilities planned such as the Carnes Hill Aquatic Centre, Lighthorse Park Community Centre, play area and open space construction, a sports park upgrade at Scott Memorial Park, and sporting fields at Carnes Hill.

Residents are invited to view and provide feedback on the draft Operational Plan and Budget from 14 May 2025 to 11 June 2025 at Council's libraries or online at www.liverpool.nsw.gov.au.

Video statement by Mayor Ned Mannoun and Deputy Mayor Peter Harle

Budget Background

The draft Budget funds the rollout of the Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) service. This is a new state-wide service, and Council is making it easier for participating households by providing weekly, green-lidded bin collections. FOGO will help reduce landfill by turning organic waste into compost.

Some $150 million worth of major projects are being delivered through the Western Sydney Infrastructure Grants Program In partnership with the NSW Government. These projects include: Carnes Hill Leisure Centre, Brickmakers Recreation area, Upgrades to Light Horse Park, and the upgrades of Macquarie, Scott and Railway Streets in the Liverpool CBD.

If it was not for cost shifting and developer contribution shortfalls, the Council could fund another $100 million worth of projects. Liverpool City has a $31 million burden created by the federal and state governments forcing it to take on functions and there is a $76 million shortfall in developer contributions. This cost shifting means your Council has less resources to fund the infrastructure, services, and community facilities that growing populations need.

These pressures are especially challenging in fast-growing cities like Liverpool, where rapid development drives the need for continued investment in roads, parks, pools, libraries, community centres, childcare, and waste services.

Budget highlights

Budget forecast spending for 2025/26: $531 million

• $247 million allocated for major capital works, including:
• $8 million for building improvements
• $112 million for road and footpath upgrades
• $27 million for drainage and stormwater infrastructure
• $26 million to upgrade sporting facilities
• $62 million for land acquisitions in urban release areas.

Funding for core services consisting of

• $57 million for the operation and management of waste and recycling services
• $28 million for the maintenance of parks, reserves and sporting grounds
• $9 million for the operation of Childcare and learning centres
• $4 million for customer service
• $20 million for the operation of aquatic centres, community centres and the Liverpool Powerhouse Arts Centre
• $10 million for Council libraries
• $5 million for environmental protection including tree planting
• Liverpool has a population of 257,000 people, making it the fourth largest city in the state. We're expected to exceed 353,000 by 2046.
• Our growing $16.62 billion economy is larger than 56 nations.
• There are 22,304 registered businesses, supporting over 114,501 local jobs.
• It covers 306 square kilometres, of which one third is greenspace with more than 500 open space reserves and 217 sports fields, ovals and courts.
• Transport, Postal and Warehousing is the largest industry, worth $2.3 billion annually.
• Its people live in 42 suburbs, speak 150 languages and come from 115+ countries.
• The average age is 34, 50 per cent of the residents are under 35 and more than 54 per cent of them speak a language other than English at home.
• There are 991km of roads, 945 km of footpaths and cycleways, 817 km of piped drains and 1,229 parks, reserves, sports fields and open spaces.

Liverpool City Fast Facts

• Liverpool has a population of 257,000 people, making it the fourth largest city in the state. We're expected to exceed 353,000 by 2046.
• Our growing $16.62 billion economy is larger than 56 nations.
• There are 22,304 registered businesses, supporting over 114,501 local jobs.
• It covers 306 square kilometres, of which one third is greenspace with more than 500 open space reserves and 217 sports fields, ovals and courts.
• Transport, Postal and Warehousing is the largest industry, worth $2.3 billion annually.
• Its people live in 42 suburbs, speak 150 languages and come from 115+ countries.
• The average age is 34, 50 per cent of the residents are under 35 and more than 54 per cent of them speak a language other than English at home.
• There are 991km of roads, 945 km of footpaths and cycleways, 817 km of piped drains and 1,229 parks, reserves, sports fields and open spaces.

Examples of Cost-Shifting

Cost shifting occurs when the state and federal governments force local councils to assume responsibility for infrastructure, services and regulatory functions without providing sufficient supporting funding.