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Survey - 2025/26 Budget, Long-Term Financial Planning Framework

Survey - 2025/26 Budget, Long-Term Financial Planning Framework

For those who just think of Council as just rates, roads and rubbish, you might be surprised to learn that we operate and provide over 70 unique services to our community which, with rate-capping and limited external funding opportunities, is not an easy feat to achieve.

Preparing the Budget is an important step in shaping Council’s annual plan in relation to programs, the delivery of projects, and services to meet community’s needs.

Your thoughts, ideas, and feedback ultimately helps us to develop the annual budget and determine how services are financially supported for the year.

We invite you to take this quick survey and tell us what services you use most and which are most important to you and your family. It could be the outdoor swimming pools, Library, health and wellbeing program, waste services, road maintenance, public arts and culture, sporting facilities, public amenities – we want to hear your thoughts on how we should prioritise service delivery!

How familiar are you with Council’s Budget and long-term financial plan process and/or the documents it produces?

Very familiar

Somewhat familiar

Not very familiar

Not familiar at all

Council provides over 70 services to the Community. Apart from the traditional services of roads and waste collection, what Council provided services do you normally use? (Check more than one box if applicable)

Children services – Maternal and Child Health, Family Day Care

Community Services – Senior Support, Senior Citizen Centres, Community Health and Wellbeing

Transfer Stations – Hamilton and outer townships

Playgrounds and sporting grounds – Melville Oval, Pedrina Park, skate parks, ovals, netball and tennis courts and recreation reserves

Showgrounds and public halls

HILAC and swimming pools

Cultural facilities – Art Gallery, Cinema and Performing Arts Centre

Library – books, ebooks, programs and computer services

Local Laws – lost animals, pet adoptions, parking and permits

Building and Planning permits and services

Airport

Livestock Exchange

Tourism and Events – Visitor services, events support

Economic Development – business support, assistance or advice

Environmental health – septic tank permits, registration and monitoring of food premises

Caravan parks

Public toilets

Community engagement services and Community Partnership Grants Funding Program

Customer Services – attending in person to pay accounts, calling for information

Procurement Services – tendering for Council business and supplying goods or services to Council

Footpaths and bike paths

Of these services, what are the top three you see as being the most important for the future of delivery for the region?

Children services – Maternal and Child Health, Family Day Care

Community Services – Senior Support, Senior Citizen Centres, Community Health and Wellbeing

Transfer Stations – Hamilton and outer townships

Parks and Gardens – Botanic Gardens, Lake Hamilton, Wannon and Nigretta Reserves, Public Open Space and facilities in townships

Playgrounds and sporting grounds – Melville Oval, Pedrina Park, skate parks, ovals, netball and tennis courts and recreation reserves

Showgrounds and public halls

HILAC and swimming pools

Cultural facilities – Art Gallery, Cinema and Performing Arts Centre

Library – books, ebooks, programs and computer services

Local Laws – lost animals, pet adoptions, parking and permits

Building and Planning permits and services

Airport

Livestock Exchange

Tourism and Events – Visitor services, events support

Economic Development – business support, assistance or advice

Environmental health – septic tank permits, registration and monitoring of food premises

Caravan parks

Public toilets

Community engagement services & Community Partnership Grants Funding Program

Customer Services – attending in person to pay accounts, calling for information

Procurement Services – tendering for Council business and supplying goods or services to Council

Footpaths and bike paths

How would you rate the value for dollar you receive for Council’s programs and services?

Very good

Good

Fair

Poor

Very poor

Unsure

If you had to choose between rate increases and lower levels of assets and service provision, which one would you choose?

No rate increase, with lower levels of asset maintenance and less services provided to the community

Modest rate increase, with similar levels of asset maintenance and service provided to the community

Modest rate increases with increased level of asset maintenance and upgrades

Higher rate increases and higher levels of asset maintenance and services provided to the community

Higher rate increases and higher levels of asset maintenance and upgrades

What do you think about Council’s current financial position (as presented in its latest Annual Budget and/or Financial Statements?)

Very good

Good

Bad

Very bad

What ideas do you have to continue to improve Council’s financial position?

How important is it to you that funding for infrastructure such as roads, bridges and buildings ensures existing service levels can be provided into the future?

Important

Unimportant

Unsure

Overall – thinking about the documents Council provides around financial management (Budget and Long Term Financial Plan) - What do you think is a good indicator of financial sustainability?

That income exceeds expenses

We have a specific amount of cash in the bank at the end of the year

We are spending more money on Capital Works than depreciation

That loans outstanding are no more than 30% of 1 year of rate revenue

That Council assets are maintained well and fit for purpose

10.

Do you have any other comments you would like to provide about Council's Budget or Long-Term Financial Plan?

11.

Council would like to collect some information about you/your organisation to add context to the responses:

Are you completing this as an individual person or on behalf of an organisation?

Individual

Organisation

Decline to answer

12.

If you are completing this survey as an individual, what is your age bracket?

Under 18

18-30

31-45

46-60

61-80

Over 80

13.

If you are completing on behalf of an organisation, what type of organisation are you completing the survey for? E.g. Progress association, school, volunteer group etc.

Maximum 255 characters

0/255

14.

Would you like to be contacted by Council to discuss any of these documents further?

Yes

15.

Please provide your name and contact details: