The Council has released its draft budget for the 2026/2027 financial year and is inviting feedback from the community.

What is the Budget?

The budget is a plan that outlines how the Council will spend money on services, programs, and projects over the next four years. It also explains where the money will come from, including rates, fees, and government funding.

Under the Local Government Act 2020 the budget must:

• Align with the Council’s long-term goals.
• Include details about services and projects the Council will fund.
• Show how rates and charges are calculated.

Rates and Charges

• Rates are expected to raise $19.4 million, which is 3.33 per cent more than last year.
• The Council will apply the full 2.75 per cent rate cap set by the Victorian Government to ensure financial stability and fund essential services.
• Waste management charges will increase by 5 per cent to help cover rising kerbside collection fuel costs.

Spending on Services and Staff

• Employee costs will increase from $14.2 million to $15.2 million to cover enterprise agreement increases and support new roles and responsibilities.
• Spending on materials and services will decrease slightly, from $18.2 million to $17.1 million.

Proposed 2026/27 Fees and Charges

Fees and Charges for 2026/27 have been reviewed in line with a proposed 2.75 per cent increase with some fees rounded to the nearest dollar. Proposed Fees and Charges 2026/27 are included in the proposed 2026/27 Budget both available to review in the Document Library on the right hand side of this page.

User fees are budgeted to raise $3.814 million of revenue in 2026/27.

2026/27 Budget Inclusions

New spending detailed in the table below has been included in the proposed 2026/27 Budget.

Initiative	Details	Amount
Asset Valuation Allocation	Ongoing valuation of Council assets to meet asset management and audit requirements.	$200,000
CBD Precinct Infrastructure master planning	Masterplan for an infrastructure upgrade to the CBD precinct.	$150,000
Occupational Health and Safety Coordinator	New position to oversee organisational OH&S.	$150,000
Benalla Planning Scheme Review	Benalla Planning Scheme review is a requirement under the Planning and Environment Act 1987.	$100,000
Facilities Maintenance Officer	Increase in allocation from 0.4 equivalent full-time to 0.6 EFT to perform additional tasks, such as, graffiti removal.	$11,000

Capital Works (Infrastructure Projects)

The Council will spend $21.1 million on infrastructure projects, including:

• $10.8 million for buildings, such as the Benalla Art Gallery redevelopment and the new Multi-sports Centre.
• $4.6 million for roadworks, including resealing and gravel re-sheeting.
• $2.1 million for waste management improvements.

How Can You Have Your Say?

We want to hear your thoughts on the proposed budget. Your feedback will help shape the final version.
To share your views:

1. Log in or create an account on this website.
2. Fill out the submission form.
3. If you prefer to remain anonymous, let us know in your submission

You can also obtain a hard copy of the proposed 2026/27 Budget from the Benalla Library or Council's Customer Service Centre. Hard copy submissions can be delivered in-person to the Customer Service Centre at 1 Bridge Street East during business hours, Monday to Friday, 9am – 4pm.

Submissions close on Thursday 4 June at 2026 at 6pm.

Don’t miss your chance to have your say!