Budget

Each year, Council sets a budget to deliver services and projects for the community, while keeping rates as low as possible and within the rate cap.

Council adopted the final Budget 2025-26(PDF, 4MB) at a Council Meeting on 18 June 2025.

Council will generate $53.56 million from general rates and the municipal charge. The increase from 2024-25 is equal to the 3% maximum rate cap increase permitted by the Victorian Government’s Fair Go Rates system.

This budget includes revenue of $124.5 million which contributes towards the delivery of $28.4 million of capital expenditure to renew and upgrade Council's assets.

Some of the budget highlights include:

$11.5 million on local roads, bridges, footpaths, drainage and associated works

Including just over $900,000 on new footpaths aligning with Council’s Shire-wide Footpath Plan.

$9.2 million for the Macedon Ranges Sports Precinct

Stage 2 construction.

$1.17 million on recreation-focused initiatives

  • Designs for a new Kyneton Skatepark
  • Continued renewal works for light towers at Council’s sporting facilities
  • Design for light towers and oval surfacing works at Romsey Oval 2
  • Pitch lighting for Dixon Field in Gisborne

Close to $2 million on building renewals

Including several community-driven initiatives through earlier consultation such as:

  • an access ramp and air conditioning upgrade to Lancefield Courthouse
  • a water tank for the Bullengarook Community Hall
  • toilet upgrades for the Woodend Bowling Club.

Free green waste vouchers

Council will also continue to facilitate two free green waste vouchers in our Spring 2025 and Autumn 2026 editions of ShireLife newsletter, and two ‘free weeks’ for green waste disposal at our resource recovery facilities.

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