Local budget on agenda

A BUMPER Mitchell Shire Council meeting was set to address the adoption of the 2026-27 budget and the 10-year financial plan last night.

Residents had one final chance to submit questions about the budget the previous week at council’s community questions and hearings meeting, with the budget put forward last night for adoption.

The adoption follows months of community feedback, with community engagement undertaken in January and February.

Ninety individual submitters put forward a total of 133 proposals, with 96 relating to capital projects and 37 operational or advocacy items submitted.

As a result, six ideas will be planned to be pursued in the 2026-27 financial year, and a further 15 ideas included within the four-year budget. Seventy-five projects are not included within the four-year budget, while six will be referred to other parties or continued to be advocated by Council.

The six upgrades for 2026-27 are amenities access upgrades for the Sue Marstaeller Pavilion at LB Davern Reserve in Wandong, a missing link footpath for Hamilton Street and Hawdon Street in Broadford, DDA parking for Murchison Street in Broadford, two submissions for the netball court renewal in Seymour’s Kings Park, and drinking fountains in local parks, including on Aspect Boulevard in Broadford.

Council is also set to introduce a public waste service charge which is designed to cover the cost of waste services which benefits the wider community, saying that it would ensure existing kerbside collection fees only cover costs for collection and disposal.

On the budget document, released on April 30, Mitchell Shire Mayor Councillor John Dougall said he had also heard feedback about roads, which also includes an additional $500,000 investment.

“We have heard clear feedback from the community about road conditions. Councillors responded by reprioritising funding within the budget, resulting in a modest but meaningful ongoing increase in road renewal investment. We have focused on making measured decisions, prioritising essential services, maintaining critical assets and planning responsibly for future investment. We are committed to managing debt prudently, maintaining appropriate reserves and working within the rate cap framework,” Cr Dougall said.

“It is these types of decisions and commitments that enable our budgeting to remain sustainable over the long term. It enables us to respond to current pressures while safeguarding council’s financial position so we can continue delivering for our community in the years ahead.”

Last night’s council meeting was also set to discuss a fire recovery plan, the economic development strategy, the 12-month review of the kerbside transition and the Mitchell Shire road safety strategy and action plan as part of a large agenda.