2025/2026 Budget adopted
Published on 19 June 2025
More than $19 million of capital works is planned throughout the Gannawarra over the next 12 months following the adoption of the 2025/2026 Gannawarra Shire Council Budget.
Adopted at the June 2025 Council Meeting, Council’s key annual financial document outlines how Council will spend the $42.766 million of revenue generated through rates, charges and grants during 2025/2026, with an underlying deficit of $478,000.
“The 2025/2026 Budget adheres to the State Government’s Fair Go Rates System, which states that the total revenue raised through municipal rates cannot increase by more than 3 per cent compared to the previous year. However, councils across the State, including Gannawarra Shire, are facing accelerating costs,” Mayor Garner Smith said.
“Construction, transportation and operating expenses are typically increasing faster than three per cent per annum, whilst changes in regulations that councils must adhere to is also increasing expenses.
“On current trends, regardless of how efficient Council is, our bottom line cannot be maintained with our current level of service in the long term.”
Key features of the 2025/2026 capital works program are the $3 million allocation to Stage 2 of the Cohuna Waterfront Development, dependent on a successful grant application, and Council’s $2 million contribution from the Transport Accident Commission’s Safe Local Roads and Street Program to support various road safety projects.
The 2025/2026 Budget also supports the reduction of risks associated with future riverine and stormwater flood events including $744,423 for stormwater and flood-affected infrastructure improvements, $500,000 for planning associated with Stage 1 of the Koondrook Levee, and $300,000 for stormwater network and town pump renewals.
The redevelopment of swimming pools at Cohuna and Kerang will aim to move one step closer, with Council seeking $1.28 million in funding to engage a designer to develop plans for both sites, whilst The Glasshouse @ The Gannawarra project will be completed in late 2025. To be incorporated into Kerang’s Sir John Gorton Library, the site will enable community groups to meet in a facility incorporating the latest meeting technology in a space larger than some of the municipality’s current buildings, such as local senior citizen rooms and community hall supper rooms.
Other major initiatives supported by the 2025/2026 Budget include:
- Gravel road resheeting ($1.21 million);
- Bitumen road reseal ($1.06 million);
- Sealed road rehabilitation ($1.02 million);
- Kerb replacement ($300,000);
- Footpath replacement ($180,000);
- Swimming pool works ($150,000);
- Bridge works ($100,000); and
- Open space renewal ($50,000).
“The 2025/2026 Budget maintains key services Council provides to the community, such as Children’s services programs, libraries, waste management and recreational facilities,” Mayor Smith said.
Council sought community feedback regarding the 2025/2026 Proposed Budget during a 29-day period, with all comments considered in developing the final version of the budget.
“Council thanks residents who took the time to provide input into the 2025/2056 Budget and looks forward to working with the community to implement the extensive projects and services outlined in the document,” Mayor Smith said.
To download the 2025/2026 Gannawarra Shire Council Budget, click on the Budget heading at www.gsc.vic.gov.au/documents