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Bass Coast Council seeks community feedback on 2025-26 Draft Budget until 14 May 2025

Bass Coast Shire Council invites community feedback on the draft 2025 - 26 Budget, featuring key infrastructure projects, services investment, and a proposed 3% rate rise. Submissions close Wednesday, 14 May.

By news@gippsland - 17th April 2025 - Back to News

Bass Coast Shire Council is inviting the community to have their say on the draft 2025 - 26 Budget, which outlines how Council plans to invest in services, infrastructure and local priorities over the next year.

Share your thoughts on the 2025 - 26 Draft Budget. Submissions open now until 14 May - request to speak by 28 May 2025

Planning for sustainability

The draft Budget includes a $31.4 million capital works program, a proposed 3 percent average rate rise (in line with the State Government cap), and updated fees and charges based on projected inflation and increased delivery cost.

Bass Coast Mayor, Cr Rochelle Halstead said the draft Budget reflects the community's values and the need to plan for a sustainable future. "We know how important it is to keep our towns vibrant, our roads safe and our community services running. This draft Budget focuses on the things that matter most - looking after our people, places and environment. It also reflects the economic pressures we're all facing, including rising costs for waste and materials."

"For example, Council's waste costs have been significantly affected by a 28 per cent increase in the state government's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) levy. We're asking our community to review the draft Budget and let us know what they think," Cr Halstead said.

Delivering for community

In response to ongoing community demand the 2025 - 26 draft Budget proposes continuation of the implementation of the Phillip Island Recreation Reserve master plan. This includes key design work to enable future development and attract external funding. Other highlights of the draft Budget include:

• Construction of a new ramp to allow people with disability access to the sea at the Cowes Main Beach
• Continuing construction of the Inverloch to Wonthaggi Trail
• Streetscape improvements in Cowes town centre
• Netball pavilion upgrades at both Wonthaggi and Bass Recreation Reserves
• Road, drainage and urban forest improvements
• Playspace upgrades in Ventnor, Cape Paterson, Wonthaggi and South Dudley
• Support for rural landowners through rate discounts and the Rural Land Management Program

Council has also released the draft 2025 - 26 Key Initiatives, which outline the major projects and actions planned for the year ahead.

Have your say

The draft Budget, Fees and Charges, 2025-26 Key Initiatives, Strategic Resource Plan, and Draft Revenue and Rating Plan are available on council's Engage Bass Coast website as well as Council's website or at any of our Customer Service Centres. If you'd like to have a chat with a Council officer about the draft Budget, we'll be available at:

• Cowes - Wednesday, 23 April, midday to 2pm
• Inverloch - Tuesday, 29 April, 10:00 am to midday
• Corinella - Thursday, 8 May, 2:00pm to 4:00pm

Submissions close at 5.00 pm on Wednesday, 14 May. Community members who wish to speak to their submission will be able to do so at a hearing on Wednesday, 28 May.

Pictures from Bass Coast Shire Council website.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com