Annual Budget and Reports

A key focus is renewing the assets that support day-to-day life across the Shire. This includes roads, buildings, public spaces and community facilities, ensuring they remain safe, functional and fit for the future.  

The capital works program includes:

• Road renewal and upgrades
• Improvements to community facilities
• Investment in parks, open spaces and streetscapes
• Local projects such as Flinders Park Oval lighting and the Dartmoor footpath
• Ongoing planning for future projects

For more information on Council’s $16 million capital works program please see pages 32 and 51-54 in the 2026/27 Budget document.

Council’s Asset Plan and community feedback highlight that many assets are ageing and require ongoing maintenance. Investing now helps prevent higher costs in the future and ensures infrastructure continues to meet community needs.

Community feedback and the Council’s Asset Plan highlight the importance of maintaining existing infrastructure and facilities. Prioritising renewal helps ensure assets remain safe, functional and reliable, while also reducing the need for more costly repairs in the future.

Further information about proposed projects included in the Draft 2026/27 Budget is available on Council’s website. Detailed project lists and updates will be shared online and with the media as projects progress through planning and development.

Register via Your Say Glenelg for project updates and to stay informed. www.yoursayglenelg.vic.gov.au

Projects were prioritised based on community feedback, asset condition, service needs and alignment with Council’s strategic plans. This approach ensures funding is directed to areas that deliver the greatest benefit to the community.

To support this investment, savings in operational expenditure have been identified for 2026/27, allowing Council to direct funding to priority areas while continuing to deliver essential services.

The following is a summary and not a comprehensive list:

• Children's Services  - Day Care and Kindergartens
• Library Services
• Youth Services
• Parks & Gardens maintenance and management across the shire
• Recreational Services Maintenance and management (Soccer, Football, cricket ovals, Basketball courts, etc)
• Roads Maintenance and management (Council-managed roads only)
• Planning Services – Land Development, Civil Planning
• Building Services – Permits and Regulations
• Grants and Community Funding
• Arts and Culture
• Local Port of Portland Bay Management and maintenance (Marina, Boat ramp, Foreshore)
• Rates and Valuations
• Casterton Livestock Saleyards maintenance and management
• Airport Services
• Tourism Promotion
• Events Coordination and Permit Processing
• Local Laws – Fire Permits, Animal Welfare, Animal Registrations
• Waste and Recycling
• Public Health ie Protect and maintain public and environmental health standards e.g. Food Premises, immunisations, accommodation, etc.
• Assets and Infrastructure Maintenance and management
• Community Services – supporting volunteers, community organisations, access and inclusion, health and wellbeing.
• Economic Development
• Visitor Information Services

The budget continues to fund a range of services and programs, including:

• Community events and activities
• Youth services
• Community Grants program
• School crossing supervision
• Maternal and child health services

For a clear and comprehensive overview of Council’s services and programs, please refer to the section titled ‘Services and Service Performance Outcome Indicators’ in the 2026/27 Budget document.

Council remains committed to maintaining essential services across the Shire. The budget balances service delivery with investment in infrastructure to support long-term community needs.

Council operates under the Victorian Government’s Fair Go Rates System, which caps rate increases at 2.75% for 2026/27. This increase has been carefully considered to balance the need to maintain essential services and infrastructure while supporting long-term financial sustainability.  

Council expects operating costs to rise by at least 2.75%, and the increase in rates helps to meet these growing expenses.

Further information regarding expenditure and service costs will be made available with this year's rates notices.

You can find more information about 2026/27 rates, and how rates are calculated on the Council’s website or by contacting Customer Service. Council can also provide individual rate enquiries to help explain your specific notice.  Email: enquiry@glenelg.vic.gov.au

Eligible residents may be eligible for a State Government concession on their rates. Council also offers flexible payment plans to assist ratepayers in managing payments. For more information or to discuss your options, please refer to our website Rates Payments or contact Council’s Customer Service team.

Community feedback has played an important role in shaping the priorities within the budget, informed by a range of engagement processes, including the Council and Wellbeing Plan, Long Term Financial Plan and the draft Annual Budget. Residents consistently indicated a strong preference for practical, local projects that improve access to facilities, maintain infrastructure, and respond directly to community needs.

Council received over 490 feedback responses during budget engagement, reflecting strong community interest in its financial position.

Feedback highlighted key concerns including cost of living pressures, affordability, rates and long-term financial sustainability, as well as the need for continued investment in infrastructure, asset maintenance, and community services and facilities.

Council has carefully considered this input alongside its strategic priorities in preparing the final budget.

Council is legislated to provide regular reporting on its financial performance against budget, including quarterly reporting to Council and the Annual Report. Reports available include the Half Yearly and Yearly Council and Wellbeing Report.   These reports are available on Council’s website and ensure transparency around how funds are allocated and spent.