We’ve adopted our 2026–27 Budget and Action Plan, setting out how we will deliver the services, projects and improvements our community relies on in the year ahead. 

This Budget has been developed in a challenging financial environment, with rising costs, increasing demand and pressure on infrastructure. In response, we’ve taken a careful and measured approach — prioritising renewal over expansion, managing debt responsibly and planning within available funding.  

It is also the first full Budget developed following the adoption of our Financial Sustainability Strategy, which provides a long-term framework for strengthening our financial resilience while continuing to deliver the services and infrastructure valued by the community. 

This year’s focus is on strengthening the essentials — including safe footpaths, reliable roads, well-maintained parks, accessible community facilities, clean and welcoming activity centres, and services that support people across all stages of life. These essentials might seem small on their own, but they make a real difference to daily life. 

We’ve allocated $17.39 million for asset renewal across parks and open space, roads and drainage, buildings, leisure and aquatic centres, fleet and plant, IT infrastructure and libraries. This investment will help keep community assets safe, accessible, compliant and fit for purpose. 

The Budget also includes $14.75 million for the settlement of the former Elsternwick Bowls Club site, securing strategically important land in line with our Open Space Strategy. This will support long-term community, recreation and environmental outcomes by increasing access to open space. 

Climate and sustainability remain key priorities, with $6.19 million allocated to initiatives that support our emissions-reduction commitments. This includes $5.9 million for the Getting Off Gas project at Glen Eira Sports and Aquatic Centre, alongside energy-efficiency upgrades, solar projects and other sustainability initiatives. 

Community facilities are another important focus, with $4.56 million allocated to renewal and upgrade works across Mackie Road Reserve Pavilion, Bailey Reserve Softball Pavilion and Glen Huntly Pavilion. 

We’ll also invest $2.22 million in community safety projects, including intersection safety upgrades, pedestrian and school safety projects, shopping centre safety works, disabled parking upgrades, local traffic management improvements and the cycling safety program. 

A further $2.20 million will support activity centres, helping improve streets, public spaces and local centres so they are more welcoming, accessible and vibrant. 

The 2026–27 Action Plan also includes work to roll out the Community Safety Framework, continue the Social Cohesion Taskforce, deliver the Antisemitism Strategy, develop a new Urban Forest Strategy, support biodiversity corridors, improve recycling and waste diversion, and strengthen arts, culture, libraries and community connection. 

Community feedback played an important role in shaping the final Budget and Action Plan. We received 125 pieces of feedback during the three-week engagement period. Of the 50 quick poll respondents, 66 per cent said they were satisfied or very satisfied that the draft Budget and Action Plan reflected community priorities. 

We thank everyone who took the time to read the draft documents, complete the survey, vote in the quick poll, attend a pop-up or share their views. 

Read the 2026–27 Budget and Action Plan.