Council changed its consultation process in 2024 to allow more time for community feedback to be received and considered to help shape the budget.
Following the success of this, council will undertake the consultation at the beginning of the budget development process again, aiming to ensure the document better reflects needs and desires of residents.
City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Shane Sali said community feedback was an important part of compiling the annual budget.
“Last year, we were able to better understand the needs and priorities of residents, earlier on in the budget development process,” he said.
“By undertaking early consultation and inviting residents to speak to us in December ahead of the document being developed, we are giving the community the best chance of influencing the budget and where the money is allocated.”
Council’s 2026/27 budget sets where funding will be allocated for the provision of capital works and delivery of services for the next financial year.
Work is already under way on the document that outlines how resources will be prioritised to deliver more than 120 services to the community, and maintenance, renewal and upgrade of $2 billion worth of community assets.
Cr Sali said the consultation would be the only opportunity to provide feedback on the budget.
“The more feedback we receive from the community in the coming month, the better positioned we will be to understand the community’s needs and desires for Greater Shepparton, and where we need to be to maintain financial sustainability,” he said.
“We want to know what people would like to see funded, whether they know of any necessary upgrades to infrastructure or community facilities across the region, or if they would like funding for major programs.”
Funding for facilities at Victoria Park Lake and $748,000 allocated to Congupna Recreation Reserve upgrades came about from the community consultation period developing the 2025/26 budget.
The 2026/27 budget consultation survey is open from Friday, October 24 to Friday, November 21 at shaping.greatershepparton.com.au/
When filling out the survey, people will be given the option to request an in-person submission to discuss their feedback with council in December.
The budget will then be developed before it is endorsed by council in May 2026.
For more information or to chat with someone from council’s finance team, call 5832 9700.
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