Rates will rise by an average of 3 per cent in 2025-2026 after Brimbank council adopted its budget.
As part of the budget, council will invest $273.2 million for operations, with a surplus of $6.37 million, and allocate nearly $57.6 million towards the capital works program.
Of the capital works program funding, $29.4 million will go towards roads and drainage upgrades, $12.7 million to community and early learning facilities upgrades and $5 million to playgrounds, parks and gardens.
Other capital works funding includes $3.2 million to sports facility upgrades, $3.2 million to the regular replacement of plant and vehicle fleet, $1.8 million to walking and cycling paths, with another $884,000 for library books.
The main areas of allocation for the operation budget include $25.4 million for waste services, $18.8 million for parks and trees, and $15.8 million to leisure services including Sunshine Leisure Centre and the Brimbank Aquatic Wellness Centre.
Mayor Thuy Dang said the budget will help to deliver better services and facilities for locals.
“In the coming year, council will prioritise community wellbeing, economic resilience, and sustainability, ensuring our investments reflect what’s most important to our community and contribute to a stronger, more connected Brimbank,” she said.
Council outlined its main financial challenges as being rate capping, a growing asset base, increasing asset renewal obligations and the impacts of climate change, and said it would continue to advocate to state and federal government for increased funding.
