Doing more with less is the focus of East Gippsland Shire Council’s Draft Budget 2025/26, which aims to deliver practical improvements, maintain services, and ease cost-of-living pressures on the community.

Mayor Cr John White said the budget reflects Council’s commitment to finding efficiencies and delivering value in a challenging financial environment.

“As a new Council, we’ve taken a careful and considered approach to this year’s budget,” John said.

“We’ve proposed to keep the general rate rise to 2.0% – a full percentage point below the Victorian Government’s 3.0% cap and under inflation. We understand that many households and businesses are feeling cost-of-living pressures, and this decision reflects our commitment to supporting the community while continuing to provide the services people rely on.”

Chief Executive Officer Fiona Weigall said the Draft Budget includes embedded savings targets and marks the beginning of a Financial Sustainability Strategy, which will guide Council’s efforts to identify long-term efficiencies and deliver value for ratepayers.

“Rates are essential to maintaining the services our community depends on,” Fiona said.

“We’ve worked hard to strike the right balance between limiting the financial impact on ratepayers and ensuring high-quality service delivery. We encourage any resident experiencing financial hardship to reach out – we’re here to help.”

Almost 1,000 community members shared their views earlier this year, helping shape the Draft Budget.

“Your feedback has been valuable. You told us you want cleaner public toilets, better roads and footpaths, and stronger investment in local infrastructure. These priorities are reflected in our plans, with some improvements already underway and others embedded in this year’s Budget,” John said.

Key new investments for 2025/26 include:

• $3.332 million for road reseals

• $1m for a gravel road program

• $3.18m Bairnsdale Aerodrome rehabilitation of taxiway and hangar apron*

• $1.6m for the Cann River Waste Transfer Station

• $1.441m for footpaths and related projects

• $530,000 for a drainage upgrade in Marlo
  * Project dependent on grant funding

Major projects continuing from 2024/25 include:

• $4.823m for continued digital transformation aimed at simplifying systems and processes to make it easier for the community to interact with the council.

• $4.4m for the WORLD Sporting Precinct, Bairnsdale

• $1.56m for Livingstone Park, Omeo

• $5.7m for the Slip Road Maritime Precinct, Paynesville

• $8.34m for runway extension and lighting at Bairnsdale Aerodrome*
  * Project dependent on funding

The Mayor said the Budget also prepares Council to respond flexibly to cost pressures and State-imposed obligations.

“We are up for the challenge. We’re also strongly advocating on key issues impacting the community, such as the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund levy and mandatory glass recycling collection,” John said.

Council has also released a new four-year Council Plan, setting the vision and strategic direction for the next four years. It is guided by four themes:

• Community wellbeing and social responsibility

• Prosperity

• Making the most of what we’ve got

• Managing Council well

“This budget supports those goals and reflects what matters most to our community. Thank you to everyone who contributed their time and ideas, to Councillors for their leadership, and to our Council staff for their dedication and expertise,” John said.

Copies of all draft plans are available via Council's website and at all customer service centres and libraries. Feedback can be provided through Council’s website, by email or mail, or in person at any customer service centre.

Feedback on the Council Plan, Budget and other strategic documents is open until 21 May.

To view all documents and provide feedback visit our engagement website.