Mayor Shane Sali said he heard about the positive impacts of an early budget from other regional mayors through his work with Regional Cities Victoria.
Cr Anthony Brophy said passing the budget in May allowed council to begin the tender process early, allowing council to “get ahead of the game”.
Residents will see their rates increase by 2.75 per cent in the next financial year, in line with the Victorian Government’s rate cap.
The rise is below inflation and slightly below wage growth.
Cr Sali acknowledged that council was also impacted by the same increases in energy and petrol prices that residents faced, and said council had “to absorb that and find ways to still deliver 120 services”.
While most service charges have been increased, kerbside waste charges dropped around three per cent.
The contractors that process kerbside recycling have been able to reclaim more materials due to a decrease in contamination from glass shards after the rollout of purple bins.
The increased quantity also means that less money is being spent on waste going into landfill.
A portion of the increased profit has been handed back to ratepayers, with the largest decrease in price affecting green organics bins.
Cr Sali said that although the savings were small, “we’re heading down the right path”.
The capital works program will cost $55.2 million, with no new borrowings.
This total includes $27.96 million for road maintenance and development, including resealing works, streetscape renewals and a new signalised intersection between Goulburn Valley Hwy and a new extension of Warrumbungle Dve.
Other notable works include new retaining walls and tiered seating at the Mooroopna Football Netball Club, a new indoor arena grandstand with accessible seating at the Tatura Park Events and Equestrian Centre, new change rooms at Central Park Recreation Reserve and upgraded change rooms at Deakin Reserve.
Council’s financial forecasting predicted a deficit for the 2026-27 financial year, but the approved budget has a surplus of $3.68 million.
This includes $570,000 in savings from spending less than what the council earns, with the remaining $3.12 million coming from strategic land sales.
“This is a critical milestone, particularly in a time of significant cost increases,” Cr Sali said.
“We are paying down debt, not adding to it.”
Council’s cash position is projected to increase from $15.1 million to $17.1 million.
Cr Sali thanked council chief executive Fiona Le Gassick and the broader executive team for their behind-the-scenes work contributing to the budget.
The budget consultation process received more than 70 submissions from individuals and community groups over the last six months.
Cr Sali thanked the community, encouraged the engagement to continue and said “you don’t know what you don’t know”.
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