Proposed Annual Budget 2025/26: a snapshot of community priorities

Published on 16 April 2025

Council has prepared a proposed $144.78 million budget to support core functions, deliver on community priorities and prepare for the future – with a focus on road maintenance, major projects, and parks and gardens.

Like all Councils in Victoria, Council is facing significant financial challenges, with the costs of delivering services and infrastructure increasing. This is why the November 2024 community conversation about residents’ priorities was so important – it gave us a snapshot about where you would like to see our budget spent.

Key proposed spending allocations include:

$21.6 million to move Maribyrnong Aquatic Centre off gas and continuing the Splash Park project, demolition of RecWest Footscray and upgrade of Shorten Reserve, a new Pavilion at Hansen Reserve, and detailed design to progress the Creative West Project.
$15.5 million for traffic management and road rehabilitation.
- This includes just under $10 million to road rehabilitation projects, including completing distributor road upgrades along Summerhill Road in West Footscray and Mitchell Street in Maribyrnong. This also includes design for the next phase of upgrades in the Joseph Road Precinct.
Just under $9 million for parks and gardens.
$6 million for streetscape improvements in places including Barkly Village, Clark Street Park, Bunbury Street in Footscray and in shopping and activity centres.
$4 million for master planning for Pipemakers Park, Yarraville Gardens and Footscray Park.

The Proposed Annual Budget is premised on a three per cent increase in total rates revenue collected while maintaining the State Government imposed rate cap.

“Thank you to everyone who shared their spending priorities as we started planning this Budget in late 2024. We have – as much as possible – considered what is most important to you in our decisions, while balancing both the cost of living challenges for ratepayers and the challenging economic climate in which we all operate,” Mayor, Cr Pradeep Tiwari said.

As Council goes back out to the community with the Proposed Annual Budget 2025/26 for community feedback, we are also seeking feedback on the draft Revenue and Rating Plan.

This Plan will determine the most appropriate and affordable revenue and rating approach for Council, which in conjunction with other income sources, will adequately finance the objectives in the new four-year Council Plan.

View the Proposed Budget 2025/26 and the draft Revenue and Rating Plan 2025-29, and share your comments by midnight Wednesday 14 May 2025 at yourcityyourvoice.com.au/budget

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