Latrobe City Council adopted the 2025/26 Budget at its most recent Council meeting, following a community consultation process.
Council also adopted the Revenue and Rating Plan which ensures the fair and equitable distribution of rates across property owners and outlines principles that are used in decision making for other revenue sources such as fees and charges. The Farm Rate differential outlined in the Revenue and Rating Plan will remain the same as previous years.
The Budget outlines the broad range of services provided by Council and details the funding that is required to deliver these services and maintain and improve community infrastructure.
Council made the decision to halve the allowable increase in municipal rates and charges (excluding waste services charges) proposing a 1.5 percent increase rather than the 3 percent maximum increase in rates permissible under the State Government’s Fair Go Rates System. Council will maintain support for farmers by continuing to offer eligible farmers a 25 percent discount on rates.
Latrobe City Council Mayor, Councillor Dale Harriman thanked community members who took the time to make a Budget submission this year.
“We received 90 Budget submissions across a range of projects and services. Community feedback is valuable and a crucial part of the future Budget planning process,” said the Mayor.
“We're in a cost-of-living crisis; while we may have been able to have a rate increase of three percent, 1.5 percent is as much as our rate payers can afford.
“The Budget includes a total capital works program of $87.3 million comprising of $28 million in the 2025/26 program and $59.3 million of continuing multiyear projects and other works from prior year Budgets.
“This has been achieved while maintaining a balanced cash budget, placing Council in a strong financial position to deliver on the aspirations outlined in our Council Plan over the four-year Council term.”
The Budget includes investment in renewing existing infrastructure of $28.9 million with $14.5 million of this being committed to the road network. In addition, $29.3 million will be spent on the continuation of the Regional Car Parks Fund including the completion of the Kay Street Traralgon car park and the commencement of the Commercial Road Morwell car park.
Other major projects include the flood recovery project at Traralgon Recreation Reserve $5.3 million, Multi-use Pavilion Gaskin Park $3.7 million, the upgrade of the Glengarry preschool $1.1 million and the new public toilet for Churchill $700,000.