Submissions have now closed for this consultation - thank you to everyone who took the time to put forward a submission.

Background

Prior to 30 June every year (with 1 July marking the start of a new financial year,) Council is legislatively required to prepare and adopt a budget for the next financial year, as a key requirement of the Local Government Act 2020.

Council’s budget forms part of the Integrated Strategic Planning and Reporting Framework that includes Council’s Community Vision, Council Plan, Financial Plan, Revenue and Rating Plan, Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan, Disability Action Plan, Workforce Plan, and Asset Plan.

The budget supports the delivery of the key strategic objectives outlined in the Council Plan, while also considering the longer-term strategic objectives in the plans listed above.

As an important part of the budget preparation, the public is invited to help shape the budget by providing ideas and feedback to suggest or support projects, infrastructure, and initiatives year-round for consideration through a community consultation process, in accordance with Council’s Community Engagement Policy.

How the budget process works

  • Council officers begin preparing budget bids internally for consideration, based on strategic Council priorities and team needs.
  • Community submissions invited and tabled for consideration, based on strategic Council priorities and community needs.
  • Council's Corporate Directorate, specifically the Finance and Reporting Department, consider all new submissions and brief on recommendations internally in the context of already committed expenditure, expected revenue and strategic Council priorities.
  • Council's Budget 2025-26 is tabled for endorsement at a future Council Meeting, ideally targeting May 2025, to give Council officers a headstart in planning for the delivery of budgeted commitments.

What we are seeking

Individuals or groups are encouraged to put forward their case for funding in the 2025-26 financial year, with submissions recommended to include information such as:

  • estimated costings
  • community benefits
  • alignments with Council plans and priorities.

Submissions are invited over a four-week period from Monday 4 November to Sunday 1 December 2024 and can be made online via the form below, or delivered in writing via mail (PO Box 151, Kyneton VIC 3444) or in person to one of Council’s customer service centres.

Those interested in making a submission are encouraged to contact Council to seek advice or assistance from Council officers in preparing their budget idea, ensuring Council can provide prompt support and boost the quality of submissions.

Submitters will be able to speak to their proposals at a Submitters Delegated Committee meeting, to be held online in early 2025.

While you're here

In addition to this Budget 2025-26 consultation process, we're also starting to gather some community sentiment around priorities, which will help inform a range of key Council documents due for deliberation in 2024-25.

Whether or not you're interested in making a Budget 2025-26 submission, we we welcome you to complete an optional survey to support our strategic planning.