Council Budget 2025/26

Background

Prior to 30 June every year (with 1 July marking the start of a new financial year,) Council is legislatively required to prepare and adopt a budget for the next financial year, as a key requirement of the Local Government Act 2020.

Council’s budget forms part of the Integrated Strategic Planning and Reporting Framework that includes Council’s Community Vision, Council Plan, Financial Plan, Revenue and Rating Plan, Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan, Disability Action Plan and Asset Plan.

The budget supports the delivery of the key strategic objectives outlined in the Council Plan, while also considering the longer-term strategic objectives in the plans listed above.

As an important part of the budget preparation, the public is invited to help shape the budget by providing ideas and feedback to suggest or support projects, infrastructure, and initiatives year-round for consideration through a community consultation process, in accordance with Council’s Community Engagement Policy.

How the budget process works

• Council officers begin preparing budget bids internally for consideration, based on strategic Council priorities and team needs.
• Community submissions invited and tabled for consideration, based on strategic Council priorities and community needs.
• Council officers consider all new submissions and brief on recommendations internally in the context of already committed expenditure, expected revenue and strategic Council priorities.
• Recommendations are presented to Council as part of the Draft Budget for consideration.
• Council's Budget 2025-26 is tabled for endorsement at a Council Meeting in May or June 2025.

What we are seeking

Individuals or groups are encouraged to put forward their case for funding in the 2025-26 financial year, with submissions recommended to include information such as:

• estimated costings
• community benefits
• alignments with Council plans and priorities.

Submissions are invited until 10 January and can be made online via the form below, or delivered in writing via mail (Southern Grampians Shire Council Locked Bag 685) or in person to 111 Brown Street, Hamilton.

Those interested in making a submission are encouraged to contact Council to seek advice or assistance from Council officers in preparing their budget idea, ensuring Council can provide prompt support and boost the quality of submissions.

Submitters will have the option to speak to their submission at a briefing of Council early in 2025.

While you're here

In addition to this Budget 2025-26 submission process, we're seeking some community sentiment around priorities, which will help inform not only our budget, but also a range of key Council documents due for deliberation in 2024-25.

Whether or not you're interested in making a Budget 2025-26 submission, we welcome you to complete the survey below to support our strategic planning.