Proposed Council Budget released for comment

Published on 12 May 2025

Community members are invited to review the Proposed 2025-26 Budget, available for consideration and comment at engage.mansfield.vic.gov.au until Friday 30 May 2025.

The proposed budget outlines what Council will deliver over the next 12 months including new initiatives and core services.

The 2025-26 budget proposes a 2.75% rate increase, which is lower than the State Government Rate Cap of 3.00% with a total operating expenditure of $30.4 million and a $20.75 million Capital Works Program.

Mayor Cr Steve Rabie said Council had been catching up on a backlog of works.

“We’ve had to work hard to invest in our future and create long-term solutions to long-term problems across the Shire,” said Cr Rabie.

“Strategically, Council has been catching up on a backlog of renewals for roads, bridges and stormwater drains, including the Mullum Wetlands rejuvenation, completion of the IMPACT Route works on Highton Lane and Rifle Butts Road, as well as many other projects the community has told us were needed. We listened and we acted,” said Cr Rabie.

“Now, we’re listening again, ready to take action on the community’s priorities for next year.”

Council received 117 submissions in our early budget consultation. Every submission was considered, and many have been included in this year’s budget, including:

Extending the new shared footpath from Howqua Inlet to the Caravan Park in collaboration with community volunteers.
Upgrade of Walshs Road, Goughs Bay with an additional 1km of road sealing.
Township Sealing Program continued with upgrades for Church Street and New Street, Mansfield.
Extending shared paths along Piries-Goughs Bay Road to Mountain Bay Drive and along Mansfield-Woods Point Road in Jamieson to Gooley’s Bridge.

Yet another intensive Capital Works program is proposed for 2025-26, worth $20.75 million. This will be funded with $14 million from government grants, $99,000 from development contributions and $6.66 million from Council operations.

Some key infrastructure projects proposed include:

Completing the IMPACT Route with Highton Lane and Rifle Butts Road works being finalised, including the construction of a new roundabout at the intersection with Monkey Gully Road.
Progressing the Mansfield Heritage Museum, working with the Mansfield Historical Society and other project partners including Taungurung Land and Waters Council on the exhibit design and fit-out of the new building and other station precinct projects.
Construction of a new roundabout at the black spot intersection of Dead Horse Lane and the Mansfield-Whitfield Road, which is a state government road that is managed by VicRoads, with a targeted full completion by the end of the year.
Commencement of the construction of the Lords Reserve Pavilion and amenities upgrades at Lords Reserve and at the Mansfield Sporting Complex changerooms so that all users of these important sporting and recreational spaces can benefit.
Design and construction of a new bridge on Greenvale Lane for pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians and more funding for bridges and culverts to address longstanding issues.
Upgrade of the access road at the Mansfield Resource and Recovery Centre, improving the experience for all users who access this important service.
Installation of solar panels and batteries at the Mansfield Sporting Complex and other key locations as part of our Climate Action Plan.

Other major programs of work for the 2025-26 financial year include:

Continuing the successful spring clean-up event for green waste (disposal free of charge) and tip-vouchers for free disposal of green waste at the Resource Recovery Centre.
Streamlining our health and wastewater permit systems to make it easier to apply for permits.
Further increased funding for weed management and continued focus on European Wasp control following the successful community collaboration last year.
Working with our community to finalise the Delatite Valley Plan and progress plans for a riverside green space and public park in Merrijig.
Continued Outlying Communities Infrastructure Fund grant program for $75,000 per year.

Funding has been put aside to demonstrate Council’s commitment to progressing major community projects. These projects will require Council to commit a co-contribution to a funding application, and we are working hard to advocate for the money we need for these projects:

The construction of an Emergency Resilience Centre on the Maroondah Highway in Mansfield, co-located with the SES to provide an important hub for emergency management training and collaboration between first responders, building community resilience.
An upgrade of facilities at the Mansfield swimming pool including a new roof over the learner’s pool and improved accessibility so that it can be used for swimming lessons all year round.

“Our confident delivery of this budget rests on two non-negotiables: we listen to our community and we manage resident and ratepayer funds effectively. We are aiming to deliver a rate increase below the rate cap,” said Cr Rabie.

“This is a transparent budget that shows a snapshot of this point in time. Our rates are actually very low, which demonstrates how we deliver the best bang for our buck for every community member. The fact that our rates are much lower than comparable shires means we have to work smarter with every dollar.

“One example of how we do this can be seen in the waste charge, which has actually decreased despite increasing EPA levies. We’ve done this through strategic collaborative purchasing, meaning we could renegotiate a lower price for waste management. This is also thanks to the community. You’ve been sorting rubbish in a way that has reduced contamination rates and allowed us to get a better price for waste collection. Thank you to every resident who disposes of their waste with care,” said Cr Rabie.

Read the full proposed budget, including information about new initiatives and key infrastructure projects and have your say at engage.mansfield.vic.gov.au

Submissions, questions and feedback must be received before 5pm on Friday 30 May 2025.

If you require a physical copy of the documents, please contact Council by phone on 03 5775 8555 to arrange a print copy for collection.