Council
21 May, 2026
Draft Budget reflects a reality of financial pressure
MOYNE Shire Council has released its Draft Budget 2026/27, outlining a continued focus on renewing critical infrastructure while maintaining essential community services in a challenging financial environment.
Under the Draft Budget, council has maintained all current services while keeping rates as low as possible for residents and farmers.
Despite the 2.75 per cent increase guided by the State Government rate cap, Moyne Shire retains the lowest average rate per property assessment for large rural councils in Victoria.
The Draft Budget includes a $27.3 million capital works program, with a strong emphasis on maintaining and improving council’s extensive asset base and road network.
Key highlights of the Draft Budget include a total operating expenditure of $70.4 million with a $27.3 million capital works program, which includes $22 million for asset renewal and more than $15.6 million for roads and bridges
There is a projected underlying surplus of $0.78 million, with an asset renewal and upgrade ratio of 133 per cent.
Moyne Shire Council mayor councillor Jordan Lockett said the budget had been carefully developed to balance cost-of-living pressures with the need to maintain essential infrastructure and services.
“This Draft Budget reflects the reality of the financial pressures facing councils right across the state, while ensuring we continue to deliver the services and infrastructure our community relies on,” he said.
“We know our community expects us to maintain our roads and assets, and this Budget prioritises those areas with a strong investment in renewal and upgrade.”
More than $15.6 million has been allocated to roads and bridges, including $8.9 million for road rehabilitation, $2.2 million for resealing and $3.1 million towards bridges, including the commencement of works on the Gipps Street Bridge in Port Fairy.
Approximately $22 million will go towards renewing existing assets, helping maintain and protect council’s $745 million infrastructure network.
“This budget continues to support the priorities and outcomes identified in the 2025–2029 Council Plan, and is in line with council’s Long Term Financial Plan,” Cr Lockett said.
Among the big-ticket projects to be funded in the Draft Budget was $2.2 million for buildings, which includes the female change facilities at DC Farran Recreation Reserve.
Cr Lockett said council remained committed to delivering value for money while supporting the community through ongoing economic pressures.
“Like households and businesses, council continues to face rising costs across construction, materials, energy and service delivery,” he said.
“In recognition of fuel pricing uncertainty, council has prudently set aside $0.5 million in capital expenditure for 2026–27.
“It is also noted that the projected underlying surplus of $0.78 million may not be achieved should fuel price pressures persist at elevated levels.”
The Draft Budget proposes an average increase of around $0.97 per week for ratepayers.
Cr Lockett encouraged community members to review the draft budget and provide feedback during the public exhibition period.
“We want to hear from our community about what matters most to them,” he said.
The Draft Budget 2026/27 and Fees and Charges Schedule will be available for public exhibition on council’s Engage Moyne website and at council offices following the council meeting, with submissions to be considered before final adoption in June 2026.