Following Council’s endorsement of the Draft Budget 2026/27, we are now seeking feedback from community members on this important document before it is finalised.

Our Draft Budget for 2026/27 outlines the key services and major projects we plan to invest in to support our growing and diverse community.

At the heart of this Draft Budget is a $255.23 million capital works program supporting everything from new infrastructure to upgraded community spaces.

The budget also maintains our focus on core services such as managing waste, operating our libraries, delivering community events and festivals, and providing more than 100 services to support our residents.

Community ideas

In late 2025, we invited community suggestions for projects, initiatives, or programs that Council could include as part of the 2026/27 Council Plan and Budget development process.

Pleasingly, more than $27.6 million in funding to support the delivery of 64 of these ideas has been allocated in this draft budget, reflecting our commitment to listening and responding to what matters most to our community.

In addition, a number of the community ideas received have been earmarked for future years, will be delivered by developers or referred to other agencies.

We will advocate on behalf of the community to relevant authorities for a number of suggestions that don’t fall under Council’s responsibility, for example arterial road upgrades and improvements to bus services.

Budget highlights

Recreation and leisure facilities

• $118.76 million

• $29.26 million

• $30.75 million

• $5.65 million

• $11.54 million

• $895,000

Project highlights include: 

• $101.59 million for the construction of the aquatic and leisure centre in Fraser Rise
• $9.61 million to complete construction of the community services building in Cobblebank
• $6.36 million for the Diggers Rest Community Centre
• $6.1 million for the Rockbank East Children’s and Community Centre
• Playspace upgrades for Taylors Hill Sports Park and Springlake Village Park
• New pitches at Blackwood Drive Recreation Reserve
• Construction of the Mt Atkinson East Sports Reserve
• $4.48 million to commence upgrades to Taylors Road, including duplication between City Vista Court and Westwood Drive
• Upgrading Boundary Road from The Mall to Hopkins Road in Mount Cottrell
• Construction of a roundabout at Leakes Road and Westcott Parade in Rockbank.

Rates

Average rates in 2026/27 are proposed to increase by 2.75 per cent, which is in line with the State Government’s rate cap amount for this financial year.

This will equate to an average rate increase for ratepayers of around $1.00 per week, with more than half of all households across the City seeing a smaller increase than that. This excludes the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund mandated by the Victorian Government that replaces the Fire Services Property Levy from 1 July 2025.

An $90 pensioner rebate will again be available to eligible property owners.