2025/2026 Proposed Budget invests in community's needs

Published on 17 April 2025

Investing in the needs of the Gannawarra’s residents is a key feature of Gannawarra Shire Council’s 2025/2026 Proposed Budget.

Residents are encouraged to have their say on one of Council’s key documents, with feedback accepted up to 5pm Friday, 16 May.

“Our 2025/2026 Proposed Budget is financially responsible, and details the resources required over the next year to fund the large range of services we provide to the community,” Mayor Garner Smith said.

Council’s financial blueprint for the coming 12 months features a $17.256 million investment in capital works, with 65 per cent of these efforts funded via State and Federal government grants or contributions.

“Many of the improvements that have occurred across the Gannawarra during the past decade would not have been possible without support from other levels of government, which is greatly appreciated,” Mayor Smith said.

Efforts to reduce the risks associated with future riverine and stormwater flood events will be supported as part of the 2025/2026 Proposed Budget, including $1.05 million for flood betterment works, $897,559 for Stage 1 of the Koondrook Levee, and $300,000 for stormwater network and town pump renewals.

“As residents experienced during the 2022 floods, the Christmas Day 2023 and January 2024 storms, any form of flooding can have a lasting, even devastating, impact on people’s lives,” Mayor Smith said.

“Improvements to our storm water networks will reduce the impact of future events, meaning that we can get back to connecting with our communities and supporting local businesses quickly.”

Road safety will be a key feature of the 2025/2026 Proposed Budget, with Council to utilise its $2 million contribution from the Transport Accident Commission’s Safe Local Roads and Street Program to support various road safety projects.

“Council sought residents’ feedback on eight proposed road safety project earlier this year, with this information to assist with the list of improvements we will provide the State Government for approval,” Mayor Smith said.

“These improvements would not be possible without placing a financial burden on Council or without additional support from our State or Federal counterparts.

“Details regarding which projects will be completed as part of this program will be announced once we receive notification from the State Government.”

Efforts to rejuvenate the Gannawarra’s towns will continue, with a $3 million allocation to Stage 2 of the Cohuna Waterfront Development and $500,000 for creating the Koondrook Local Development Strategy.

“Council will again apply for funding to support the second stage of the Cohuna Waterfront Development, which will see additional improvements to Cohuna and build on the successful transformation of Apex and Garden parks,” Mayor Smith said.

“Work on the Koondrook Development Strategy will continue, with funding from the State Government’s Community Development Fund. This strategy is designed to provide support and assistance to Koondrook due to the State Government’s decision to close the native forest timber industry.”

The redevelopment of swimming pools at Cohuna and Kerang will move one step closer, with Council seeking $1.28 million in funding to engage a designer to develop plans for both sites.

“If Council is successful in obtaining funding, comprehensive designs can be developed that will allow council to illustrate its vision for modern aquatics in Gannawarra . Council will then seek your views on the proposed designs, which will be used by to apply for funding from the State and Federal governments to complement Council’s contribution to these key works.”

The 2025/2026 Proposed Budget will also support the completion of The Glasshouse @ The Gannawarra. Currently under construction, this project, supported by the State Government’s Living Libraries Infrastructure Program and the Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program, is on track to be open later this year.

“To be incorporated into Kerang’s Sir John Gorton Library, The Glasshouse @ The Gannawarra will enable community groups to meet in a facility incorporating the latest meeting technology in a space larger than some of our current buildings, such as local senior citizen rooms and community hall supper rooms,” Mayor Smith said.

Motorists and pedestrians will benefit from the $3.871 million of road, bridge and footpath improvements throughout the Gannawarra separate to flood repairs, which forms part of the Capital Works program. This includes $1.210 million for the annual gravel road resheeting program, $1.061 million for bitumen road reseal works, $1.020 for sealed road rehabilitation works, $300,000 for kerb replacement and $180,000 for footpath improvements.

“The 2025/2026 Proposed Budget also maintains key services Council provides to the community, such as our popular Children’s and Youth services, libraries, Creative Gannawarra, waste management and recreational facilities,” Mayor Smith said.

The 2025/2026 Proposed Budget also complies with the State Government’s Fair Go Rates System, which states that the total revenue raised through municipal rates cannot increase by more than 3.00 per cent compared to the previous year.

The municipal charge will remain at $100, with no changes to kerbside garbage and waste collection charges.

Feedback regarding the 2025/2026 Proposed Budget can be provided in the following ways:

• By visiting www.gsc.vic.gov.au/budget and completing an online form.
• By picking up a Have Your Say form from Council’s Customer Service Centres at Cohuna and Kerang and completing your form by the due date.
• By phoning Council on (03) 5450 9333.
• By emailing council@gsc.vic.gov.au.
• By mailing Gannawarra Shire Council at PO Box 287, Kerang VIC 3579.

All feedback received will help formulate the final version of the 2025/2026 Budget, which is to be presented to the June 2025 Council Meeting, occurring on Wednesday, 18 June 2025.

The 2025/2026 Gannawarra Shire Council Proposed Budget can be viewed online at www.gsc.vic.gov.au/budget and at Council’s Customer Service Centres at Cohuna and Kerang.