Draft budget out for feedback
Published on 30 April 2025
Glenelg Shire Council has prepared a draft budget for 2025-2026 – and is now seeking community feedback.
Council at its meeting in Casterton on Tuesday night approved the draft budget and draft fees and charges for public consultation.
Feedback can be made through the Your Say Glenelg website, by email or post from Thursday, 1 May until Friday, 23 May 2025 and this feedback will be considered by Council at its June meeting.
Mayor Karen Stephens said she encouraged the community to read through the budget documents and have its say, as it did during the community consultation sessions in February.
“I’d like to thank all of those community members that met with us at budget sessions across the Shire and shared feedback on the areas of spending priority,” she said.
“Council has taken that on board and now that we have released the draft budget we look forward to receiving more feedback.
“This budget continues our commitment to sustainable financial management and community engagement. The drafting was undertaken following extensive community consultation throughout February and March.
“With Council elections in October 2024 the elected members are working closely with the community to develop the Council Plan 2025-2029 and review the Community Vision 2040. This budget is a key contributor to the delivery of the Council Plan.
“Council is proposing to maintain service delivery with a strong focus on close fiscal management and sustainability for the future.
“We are working together in the face of continuing cost pressures on materials and services to prioritise completion of grant funded projects, many with strict funding deadlines. This is important so our community can enjoy modern, safe and inclusive community assets.”
This year has another substantial capital works program of over $13 million including the completion of:
• $4.4m roads renewal works
• $1.5m on heavy and light machinery renewal
• $0.3m Building renewal
• $0.25m contribution to Heywood Pool amenities replacement subject to government funding
• $0.2m Recreational asset renewal
• $110,000 footpath renewal works
• $20k on Casterton Saleyards
• Completion of Portland Foreshore buildings, Portland Gymnastics facility, and a number of projects under the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure phase 4 funding stream such as the Casterton Little Athletics and Cricket Club project.
“More money is proposed to be allocated this year to roads, drainage and footpath connectivity but we know there are many assets in poor condition that require funding to maintain them,” Cr Stephens said.
“More than 90 per cent of our capital works program is dedicated to these works.
“Community grants and support for many events across the shire will continue to play a vital role in supporting community groups, volunteers and event organisers. These initiatives are crucial to our community wellbeing and sense of collective belonging which is particularly important given the natural disasters and ongoing drought our Shire is experiencing.”
Whilst the Council Plan is yet to be finalised, an amount of $250,000 is proposed to be allocated to assist with initial funding of identified services and programs arising from community engagement sessions.
Community engagement and listening posts will return in 2025 and 2026 to better understand the community sentiment around various strategic and local matters. The budget preparation this year saw a total of 115 people attend the face-to-face sessions, 503 visited the dedicated budget page on the Your Say Glenelg website and 155 surveys were completed.
This feedback showed that the most important service areas for residents included maintaining assets, community facilities and libraries, capital works, tourism, arts and culture and waste management.
In response to submissions Council is proposing to introduce a Food Organics Garden Organics (FOGO) kerbside green waste collection service from April 2026. As with all kerbside collection services they are to be funded through the annual waste service charge. In addition, Council will transition to a full cost recovery basis with all waste services which will see an increase in the waste charge for those provided with this service.
To be better prepared for future funding opportunities and respond to community feedback Council is proposing to include $140,000 to prepare and scope funding applications for major projects and undertake scoping and design work for new footpaths within Nelson and Dartmoor. Additionally, $250,000 has been ring fenced for a funding contribution to update the amenities at the Heywood outdoor swimming pool.
The overall position of the budget forecasts a net operational cash position of $544,000.
With a strong focus on inclusive and strong community cohesion this budget includes operational funding to celebrate:
• $0.4m to support community events
• $285k ongoing support to youth services
• $162k on Community Grants program
• $70k for the biennial Business and Tourism Awards
• We will also further invest in pride in the shire with over $6m allocated towards road maintenance and $2.7m to keep our parks, gardens and reserves in top order
to name a few.
To view the draft budget please visit the Glenelg Shire Council website, while hard copies will be available at Council’s Customer Service Centres in Portland, Heywood and Casterton.
To provide feedback on the draft 2025-26 budget and draft fees and charges, please visit the Your Say Glenelg website from Thursday, 1 May, email enquiry@glenelg.vic.gov.au or post to The Chief Executive Officer, Glenelg Shire Council, PO Box 152, Portland VIC 3305.
Alternatively hard copies of feedback can be dropped off at Council’s Customer Service Centres in Portland, Heywood or Casterton.
Feedback must be received by 5pm Friday, 23 May. This feedback will then be considered at Council’s June meeting prior to the adoption of the budget and fees and charges.