We are pleased to share our Draft Budget for 2025–2026 for community feedback - a plan built on the voices of our community and focused on delivering a thriving, resilient and sustainable Murrindindi Shire.
This is the first Budget of our new Council term and it has been shaped by the 10-year shared vision and Draft Council Plan 2025–2029 we have been creating with our community
“Together, we are a vibrant rural community where everyone feels welcome and valued, young people see a future, every person is supported and empowered, and diversity is genuinely embraced. Our heritage and landscapes are celebrated, and our economy is thriving. We cherish all that makes this Shire unique. Murrindindi is the destination of choice—to live, to visit, and to enjoy.”
Mayor Damien Gallagher said the Draft Budget is fundamentally about putting the community’s aspirations into action.
“We’re proud to live in a Shire where people care for one another, where young people see opportunities, and where our environment and lifestyle are deeply valued,” Cr Gallagher said. “This Budget supports our goal of making Murrindindi a place people choose to call home, to visit, and to contribute to.”
With an operating budget of $44.5 million and a small surplus of $303,000, the Budget reflects careful planning and a commitment to live within our means. We’ve limited rate rises to the 3% cap set by the State Government, and despite this constraint, we’ve maintained our focus on delivering vital services, renewing infrastructure, and investing in long-term outcomes for our community.
“Council is part of the community, not apart from it,” Cr Gallagher said. “We’ve listened to local businesses, the farming sector and social service providers, and we know many people are doing it tough.”
“We’re feeling the impacts too, from reduced State funding for youth services, to a 45% increase in the landfill levy. And we’re facing structural barriers in generating the revenue needed to meet increasing service and infrastructure demands.”
In response, Council has developed a Draft Budget based on four core principles:
- Concentrating on core business – This Budget prioritises what matters most and delivers services for the whole community, including future generations.
- Efficiency – We’re continuing to drive productivity through digital transformation and regional collaboration, and we’re ready to have honest conversations with our community about under-utilised or unfit-for-purpose facilities.
- Sustainable growth – We’re investing in the planning and infrastructure needed to welcome newcomers, support local businesses, and strengthen our economy. Responsible borrowing is being used to fund projects like the Eildon Key Worker Housing and the integrated forestry and carbon offset project in Yea, both of which will generate income.
- Young people: front and centre – Despite funding withdrawals by the State, we’ve committed $100,000 to maintain youth services, because supporting and empowering our young people remains a key priority for a strong and vibrant future.
Key highlights of the Draft Budget 2025–2026 include:
- $4.3 million to deliver 14 key worker housing units in Eildon
- $453,000 for improvements to Yea Saleyards
- $380,000 to develop an Integrated Forestry and Carbon Offset Project in Yea
- $400,000 to renew footpaths and shared paths
- $95,000 for digital system upgrades to streamline processes
- $270,000 for employment and economic transition projects
- $20,000 to support community input on the future of public buildings
We’ve also had a strong focus on waste reduction and recycling: we have expanded our kerbside garbage and recycling collection service from two to four bins and increased the collection area, without increasing the waste charge from the two-bin service to the four-bin service, thanks to a reduced reliance on costly landfill.
A community waste charge, already included in the kerbside collection charge, will now apply to all properties to provide a more equitable contribution to the cost of services that benefit everyone in the Shire, such as park and street litter bin collection, operation of Resource Recovery Centres, free green waste disposal prior to the fire season and maintenance of the landfill.
These initiatives have received strong community support in the consultation we’ve conducted in laying a path to a more environmentally sustainable future.
Cr Gallagher said that Council’s responsibility doesn’t end with the drafting of the Budget.
“We will continue to strongly advocate for a fairer share of Commonwealth financial assistance and call out cost-shifting that puts unfair pressure on our community.”
“This Draft Budget reflects the values we’ve heard from our community. It’s careful, considered and future focused. I’m proud of the work we’ve done together to bring it forward, and I commend it to our community for consideration and feedback.”
We invite you to take a look at our draft Budget and share your comments. Together, we can keep building a strong future for Murrindindi Shire.
The draft Budget 2025–2026 is open for community feedback until Wednesday 28 May 2025.
For more information or to have your say, visit murrindindi.vic.gov.au/budget or one of Council’s Library and Customer Service Centres.