Golden Plains Shire Council is currently seeking submissions as part of the 2025/26 Budget process.
What is the Budget?
Every year, Golden Plains Shire Council prepares an annual budget that shows what income we expect to receive and how we expect to allocate that money on the delivery of services throughout the year. The budget document highlights the key initiatives Council will deliver to our community throughout the year.
To prepare a balanced budget, we need to ensure it can fund the core services and strategic objectives contained in the Council Plan, along with any additional initiatives.
The development of the annual budget is heavily influenced by the goals and objectives set out in the 2021-25 Council Plan and the strategies and plans Council has adopted. The Council Plan is developed in consultation with the community every four years.
How the Budget Process Works
Council officers develop internal budget proposals based on strategic Council priorities to fund the delivery of services.
This year, Council has brought forward the community engagement process to enable the consideration of budget submissions during the development of the 2025-26 Budget. An important part of the budget preparation is to invite the community to help shape the budget by lodging budget submissions. All submissions are then considered while projected revenue, existing commitments, strategic priorities and community needs are also taken into account when preparing recommendations for the budget.
Council has scheduled a meeting at Golden Plains Civic Centre, 2 Pope Street, Bannockburn at 6pm, Tuesday 1 April 2025 and anyone who lodges a written submission may request to present it to Councillors at this meeting.
The proposed 2025-26 Budget is then prepared and presented to Council for approval, ideally in May 2025. This allows staff sufficient time to plan the implementation of the budget.
What we are Seeking
Council welcomes budget submissions from the community about what is important to you, your family and the community to be considered during the development of the 2025-26 Budget. Submissions could be about a specific issue or service such as childcare, sporting facilities, public amenities, road maintenance or arts and culture. Your input will help us to prioritise our service delivery for the future.
How to Lodge a Budget Submission
Budget submissions can be lodged from now until 9am Wednesday 5 March 2025.
Budget submissions should include background information to provide some context and details of what is being requested and/or how to address the issue outlined.
Making a Budget Submission:
Complete an online budget submission
- Email submissions (including any attachments) to [email protected]
- Post a written submission addressed to Director Corporate Services, Golden Plains Shire Council, PO Box 111, Bannockburn, VIC 3331.
Presenting a Submission to Council:
Council will hold a meeting at Golden Plains Civic Centre, 2 Pope Street, Bannockburn at 6pm, Tuesday 1 April 2025 and anyone who lodges a written submission may request to present it to Councillors at this meeting. A submission does not need to be presented in person to be considered as part of the budget consideration process. The final 2025/26 Budget will be considered for adoption by Council at its meeting at The Well in Smythesdale on Tuesday 27 May 2025.
For more information, contact Golden Plains Shire Council Manager Finance Fiona Rae by emailing [email protected] or call 5220 7111.