Share your thoughts on Draft Budget and Revenue and Rating Plan

Published on 01 May 2025

The Central Goldfields Shire Draft Budget 2025-2026 and Draft Revenue and Rating Plan 2025-2029 are now available for public feedback, following endorsement at last night’s Special Council Meeting (30/04).

The documents are available to view at www.engage.cgoldshire.vic.gov.au/budget2025 with feedback invited until 5pm, Thursday 22 May 2025.

Central Goldfields Shire Mayor Cr Grace La Vella said much thought and consideration had been given to the development of the Draft Budget 2025-2026 and Draft Revenue and Rating Plan 2025-2029.

“Rising interest rates and the cost of living continues to have an impact on everyone – Council included.

“It’s continuing to get more and more challenging for small rural councils to deliver essential services, invest in infrastructure whilst operating within our means and deliver maximum value to our community.

“We’re really pleased to present our 2025-2026 Council Budget – it’s a financially responsible budget that also features funding for projects that will make a real difference to our community.

“It includes a $10.58 million Capital Works program that includes $4.26 million in newly committed projects and $6.32 in carry forward projects.

“We value our community’s input and invite residents to read through the two documents and share their feedback with us.”

Snapshot: Draft Budget 2025-2026

The Draft Budget continues to deliver services and capital works to the community within the three per cent rate cap set by the State Government.
Council’s Waste charges have been increased by 11% in 2025-2026 for standard waste charges and varying increases for non- standard waste charges. This is to ensure that the full cost of Council’s whole waste management function continues to be fully funded by the waste charge. Ministerial guidelines have been released for implementation in the following year.
The surplus for the year in the draft 2025-2026 Budget is proposed to be $1.415 million. This can be compared to an audited deficit for the year in 2023-2024 of $5 million and a forecast surplus for 2024-2025 of $723,000.
The total capital works program equates to $10.588 million, including an estimated $6.321 million of carry forward projects.

Key initiatives:

Maryborough Outdoor Pool – We’re committed to bringing this iconic and much-loved community facility back to life. Council has allocated $450,000 for ongoing design works and will continue to advocate for funding at all levels of government to help deliver this important restoration project.
Deledio Recreation Reserve Pavilion – With a Council investment of $1 million and thanks to support from both federal and state governments, a new, multi-use, modular-build pavilion will support local sport, events, and become a hub for community activities.
Princes Park Grandstand – This treasured local landmark will undergo important conservation and upgrade planning so it can continue to serve our sporting community and host major events including Energy Breakthrough and the Maryborough Highland Gathering.
Castlemaine–Maryborough Rail Trail – In partnership with Mount Alexander Shire Council, we’re progressing the development of this 55km trail. Tiny Towns – We will continue to deliver on the multiple projects identified as important for our residents across our townships.

Capital Works program highlights:

Continuation of the design works for the Goldfields Reservoir Dam stabilisation
Delivery of the annual road resealing and asphalting program
Completion of Betterment works across of a number of impacted floodways
Completion of TAC Road Safety Program including speed reductions, roundabouts and splitter islands (to be delivered over 2 years)
Investment in IT systems including a new Asset Maintenance Management System to assist in providing better service to our community on managing the maintenance of our assets and facilities
Maryborough Tennis Centre Multi Use Courts Development
Princes Park Cricket Wicket Rebuild Project
Landfill works – remediation of our closed land fills
Transfer Station Infrastructure Upgrades
Dog Park fencing at Jack Pascoe Reserve
Public Conveniences – the installation of automatic locks on our toilets and sensors on our BBQs to help prevent vandalism and better schedule cleaning and maintenance
Road to Recovery Projects including renewal of roads in Alma, Carisbrook and Maryborough
Clunes Mt Cameron Road Renewal (pending on outcome of grant application)
Aerodrome Regional Airport Program Round 4, including the implementation of more recommendations from the Aerodrome Business Case.

The Draft Budget is the final budget under the 2021-2025 Council Plan. Next year’s budget will be the first budget to support the delivery of the 2025-2029 Council Plan which is currently being developed.

Snapshot: Draft Revenue and Rating Plan 2025-2029

The Draft Revenue and Rating Plan is developed every four years (following a Council election) and determines the most appropriate and affordable revenue and rating approach which, along with other income streams, will support Council to deliver on objectives of the Council Plan.

It is proposed to:

Use the capital improved value system of valuation.

Seven (7) differential rates with the level of rate applicable to each class as follows:

Residential – Maryborough (100% of the general rate)
Residential – Other (90% of the general rate)
Vacant Land (127% of the general rate)
Commercial - Maryborough (160% of the general rate)
Commercial – Other (136% of the general rate)
Industrial (107% of the general rate)
Farm (80% of the general rate)

Municipal charge levied at $202.00
Service rate and charge levied for kerbside garbage and recycling at full cost recovery
Rates payable by quarterly instalment or as a yearly lump sum in February
Rates and concessions offered in accordance with legislation, including the state government funded pensioner rebate scheme
Deferment and/or waivers of rates and charges in cases of demonstrable financial hardship for specified property classes
The Fire Services Property Levy to be replaced by the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund.
Benchmarking of non-statutory fees and charges, including subsidised fees and charges