Council Adopts 2026-2027 Budget

The 2026-27 budget that Council adopted at its ordinary meeting for June puts the delivery of infrastructure and services required to service a growing shire at its core.

Despite inflation sitting at an elevated 4.0% in the middle of 2026, Council has delivered an economically responsible budget that delivers a variety of projects designed to improve quality of life in Mansfield Shire while implementing a rate cap increase of 2.65%, below the Fair Go Rates System cap of 2.75%. 

Mayor Cr Steve Rabie said the Budget reflected a careful balance between fiscal restraint and the investment needed to keep pace with the Shire's growth.

"We recognise the cost-of-living pressures being felt by our community, that’s why we’re doing everything in our control to minimise how costs escalate for our community,” he said.

“We feel we have struck an excellent balance between economic restraint and providing the shire the infrastructure and services that accommodate for ongoing growth.”

"This is an important year for Mansfield Shire. This budget delivers projects that keep it country, while adding to quality of life for the people who live here and adding incentive for visitors to spend when they’re here.”

Major projects this year include continued development of the Mansfield Station Precinct, completion of the Lords Reserve redevelopment, upgrades to the Mansfield Aquatic Centre and improvements to the Mansfield Sporting Complex. Together, these projects represent one of the most significant infrastructure investment programs undertaken by Council.

This year's Budget includes resourcing to maintain an additional seven acres of open public space and 100 new street trees in Mansfield township.

“Our township and our shire is growing but wherever we can, Council will work with the community and with developers to ensure we protect our identity,” Mayor Cr Rabie said.

Council has secured more than $13.6 million in external grant funding for 2026-27, the result of sustained advocacy on the community's behalf. A cornerstone of these works is the continued transformation of Mansfield's historic Station Precinct, funded through the federal Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program.

The Budget was shaped directly by the community, with 45 submissions received through Council's early engagement process – 80% of ideas submitted have been included in the budget reflecting Mansfield Shire Council’s ongoing commitment to listening and acting on behalf of the community. 

Ideas that made it into this year's Budget include design work for a bike pump track in Jamieson, upgrades at College Park and the Bonnie Doon Community Centre and an expanded Winter Festival and moonlight cinema.

Council is also pleased to announce that the Mansfield Resource Recovery Centre will move to seven-day-a-week operation from 2026, funded entirely through identified savings and efficiencies, with no added cost to ratepayers.

“We recognise how important the Mansfield Resource Recovery Centre is to the community, we are very pleased to be able to deliver its integral services 7 days a week at no extra cost to our ratepayers,” Mayor Cr Rabie said.

The adopted 2026-27 Budget is available to view at mansfield.vic.gov.au.