Budget Balances Major Investment with Long Term Financial Sustainabili
Published on 12 June 2026
Southern Grampians Shire Council formally adopted the 2026/27 Budget, Long-Term Financial Plan and Pricing Register at the 9 June Council meeting with $17.5 million allocated for the capital works program, and targets to be debt free by 2036.
The Budget follows an extensive consultation process, with submissions and feedback received throughout the process being invaluable in shaping the final document adopted by Council. For the initial submission period from November 2025 to January 2026 Council received 23 community submissions along with 11 Councillor submissions. In addition, there was 13 items of feedback received during May 2026.
Southern Grampians Shire Council Mayor Cr Dennis Heslin said the Budget sought a careful balance between investing in the infrastructure and facilities communities expect, while maintaining a strong emphasis on financial sustainability.
"This Budget is about making responsible decisions today that our communities and our existing infrastructure can rely on in the future," Cr Heslin said.
"We know people are feeling cost-of-living pressures. Councils across Victoria face sharply rising costs while operating under rate caps that sit below inflation. Despite those challenges, we’re pleased to deliver another significant capital works program without losing sight of major projects.”
The Budget forecasts an operating surplus of $5.79 million and includes a $17.5 million capital works program, with more than $13 million dedicated to renewing and upgrading existing community assets.
Roads remain a major focus, with $6.74 million allocated to road works across the Shire, alongside upgrades to buildings, sporting facilities and community infrastructure.
Community feedback played a big part in the final Budget, with Council adding a $250,000 public toilet renewal project in Cavendish following consultation.
Among the major projects progressing through the Budget are the Hamilton CBD Streetscape Revitalisation, the proposed new Hamilton Gallery, and the Community Hub project, which will bring together a library, digital hub, municipal offices and community spaces.
The Budget includes $3.2 million toward progressing the Hamilton CBD revitalisation project and a further $2.5 million for detailed design work on the future Hamilton Art Gallery. Funding for the detailed design work has come through the regional Precincts and Partnerships Programme (rPPP) funding stream.
A number of community-prioritised projects also received funding, including:
- Cavendish and Coleraine Structure Plan Implementation into the planning scheme
- Economic Development Strategy
- Renewal of athletics facilities at Mitchell Park
- Masterplan for Wannon Falls Scenic Reserve
- Rainwater harvesting project at HILAC and Hamilton Showgrounds, subject to a grant
- Renewal of Church on Brown Street for Youth and Community use
- Support for Live4Life Southern Grampians
- Fencing of northern side of the Cavendish playground
- HILAC court 1 renewal
- Outdoor swimming pools annual renewal
- Lake Hamilton Spillway
The accompanying Long-Term Financial Plan forecasts operating surpluses in eight of the next ten years, limits average expenditure growth to approximately 1.5 per cent annually and forecasts that all debt will be repaid by 2036.
Council also expects to maintain positive cash reserves throughout the life of the plan while continuing to invest more than $12 million annually in asset renewal.
For ratepayers, general rates will increase by 2.75 per cent, in line with the Victorian Government's rate cap and lower than last year's increase of 3 per cent.
Cr Heslin commented on the removal of the long-standing two per cent early payment discount on rates, saying:
“Unfortunately, this concession which we have been able to offer in the past has become increasingly difficult to sustain under the rate-capping system. Pensioner concessions will however remain unchanged, and we will continue to offer hardship provisions for any residents experiencing financial stress. Please reach out for a confidential conversation with our rates team.”
The municipal waste charge will increase from $430 to $472, reflecting higher waste disposal, fuel and contractor costs associated with delivering kerbside rubbish, recycling and food and garden organics services.
"The consultation process highlighted strong support for projects such as Mitchell Park Athletics and HILAC Court 1, while also raising important and difficult questions about rates, future infrastructure priorities and major project spending," Cr Heslin said.
"We always want to see as much engagement as possible from the community. The ideal plan is always to direct funds to the places that matter to our residents so it’s really important for us to know what that looks like. In this case, every submission we received was carefully reviewed and the feedback was an enormous help with the development and finalising this budget."
The adopted Budget and Long-Term Financial Plan position Council to continue delivering services, renewing infrastructure and progressing major projects while maintaining a sustainable financial future for the Southern Grampians community.
“In a difficult financial period, people want to see restrained spending, careful budgeting of their hard-earned rates as well as maintenance of the significant assets we already have. We think this budget does a good job balancing common sense financial planning with progressing the forward-facing projects that will elevate our Shire. This is a testament to the hard work of our staff who have done an amazing job throughout the year to keep everything on track,” concluded Cr Heslin.
Anyone experiencing financial hardship with their rates is encouraged to view the hardship resources available on our website.
To read the budget in full or to hear more about our major projects, head to the website or subscribe to our monthly eNews.
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