FAQs

Each year, we prepare a Budget and review our 10-Year Financial Plan, this is a requirement of the Local Government Act 2020. These documents help determine the services, facilities, projects and infrastructure we can deliver for our community, both now and into the future.

This work also helps us plan for the third year of our Council Plan 2025–2029, which was developed with extensive input from our community and adopted in 2025.

When developing the Budget and Financial Plan, we consider a range of factors, including:

•    the priorities identified in our Council Plan 2025–2029

•    financial parameters and settings already adopted by Council including those outlined in the Budget 2026-27 and 10 Year Financial Plan 2026-27 to 2035-36, and Budget Principles 2026-27. 

•    the services and facilities our community relies on every day

•    long-term planning for infrastructure, assets and community needs

•    State Government requirements, including rate capping

•    rising costs and financial sustainability

•    existing financial commitments and approved projects

We also work within the framework established by our Revenue and Rating Plan 2025-26 to 2028-29, which guides how rates and other income sources are used to help fund services and community infrastructure.

Community feedback is one of several important inputs that informs the development of the draft 2027–28 Budget and updated 10-Year Financial Plan.

Your feedback will help us understand which services, facilities and investment priorities matter most to our community. This will be considered alongside our strategic plans, financial obligations, legislative requirements and long-term priorities.