Golden Plains Shire Council’s Budget 2026/27 was adopted by Council at its 26 May Council meeting. The $62 million Budget focuses on balancing financial sustainability with maintaining services and continued investment in projects that are valued by our community.
The 2026/27 Budget has been prepared based on the adopted principles within the 2025-2029 Council Plan and Financial Plan with rate revenue modelled at a 2.75% average rate cap increase in accordance with the Minister for Local Government’s announcement in December 2025.
Prior to the formulation of the Draft Budget, Council undertook a multi-stage community engagement process in November and December 2025, inviting residents to contribute through Budget submissions, an online survey, and Thinktank workshops. Council then reviewed formal submissions at a February 2026 meeting before presenting the final Budget for adoption in May 2026.
Golden Plains Shire Mayor Cr Owen Sharkey acknowledged that despite financial pressures, the Budget remains focused on protecting essential services and investing in the infrastructure the community values most.
“Our 2026/27 Budget delivers a responsible and sustainable plan for our community, despite the significant
financial pressures facing councils across Victoria. We have worked hard to maintain essential services and
continue investing in important infrastructure, even as rising costs outpace the 2.75% rate cap,” Cr Sharkey said.
“This Budget reflects the priorities our community shared with us through submissions, surveys and workshops.
Their feedback directly shaped the decisions we’ve made. We have ensured that key projects and core services
remain protected,” he said.
“Every effort has been made to balance rising costs with the need to maintain service levels. Delivering a
financially responsible Budget is essential for the long-term sustainability of our Shire.”
Key Features of the 2026/27 Budget
The 2026/27 Budget aims to maintain essential services, invest in community-valued projects, and continue improving and renewing local infrastructure, all while operating within the 2.75% rate cap. However, the ongoing rise in operating and construction costs, consistently outpacing the annual rate cap, continues to place
significant pressure on councils across Victoria. As a result, many councils, including Golden Plains Shire, face difficult financial decisions, with the risk of either reducing service levels or operating at a loss, neither of which is sustainable in the long term.
- $61.4m to continue to deliver more than 70 services to the Golden Plains community
- 2.75% rate cap
- Operating surplus of $1.9m, with an overall adjusted underlying deficit of $6.7m
- Waste management fee at $497 per property
- Windfarm income at $2.3m (Mount Mercer, Berrybank and Golden Plains Wind Farms)
- $14.6m investment in capital assets, including infrastructure, buildings, recreation, leisure and community facilities and plant machinery and equipment
Community Infrastructure Projects in 2026/27 Budget
Of the $14.6 million capital works program, Council is investing more than $7.0 million in renewing vital community assets, with a strong focus on our extensive rural road and bridge network. As a large rural Shire, Council is responsible for maintaining over 1,744 kilometres of local roads across Golden Plains, ensuring our
communities remain connected and supported.
- $900k for Local Roads Resealing
- $670k for Local Road Improvements
- $2.54m Roads to Recovery Federal Government Grant for Local Road Projects
- $700k for Gravel Resheeting
- $600k for Drainage program
- $300k for Footpaths & Cycleways
- $350k for Local Bridge Renewals
- $2.4m for Russells Bridge Replacement
- $1.75m for Teesdale Female Friendly Changerooms Project
Key Operational Programs included in Budget 2026/27
- Continued implementation of Climate Emergency Plan actions supported by the introduction of the recently formed Climate Action Working Group.
- Continued transition of Waste Services to reflect State mandated 4 bin service.
- Continued development and implementation of the Core Systems Transformation Project.
- Funding for various programs to support active ageing, youth development, and the general health, wellbeing and inclusion of all cohorts across the community.
To read the 2026/27 Budget, visit goldenplains.vic.gov.au/budget.