Budget and Financial Plan

Our Budget and Financial Plan show how Council will fund the services, infrastructure and priorities that matter to the Glen Eira community — now and into the future.

The 2026–27 Budget sets out how money will be raised and spent over the financial year, including funding for everyday services, capital works, infrastructure renewal and priority projects.

The 2026–2036 Financial Plan takes a longer-term view. It shows how Council’s services, infrastructure and strategic priorities can be funded over the next 10 years, while supporting responsible financial decision-making and long-term financial sustainability.

Budget

A responsible approach to long-term sustainability

We continue to operate in a challenging financial environment. Rising costs, increasing demand and pressure on infrastructure mean we must continue making careful, balanced decisions.

The 2026–27 Budget is the first full Budget developed following the adoption of the Financial Sustainability Strategy. It applies these long-term financial principles to the year ahead, with a focus on maintaining essential services, prioritising affordable and risk-based capital investment, and managing Council’s financial position prudently.

The 2026–2036 Financial Plan works alongside our Financial Sustainability Strategy to provide a clear framework for managing resources responsibly. The Strategy focuses on balancing future budgets, boosting revenue and improving efficiency, strengthening reserves, managing debt responsibly and building a sustainable funding pipeline for capital works.

Key investments

Key areas of investment in 2026–27 include:

$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.

$14.75 million for land acquisition for the settlement of the former Elsternwick Bowls Club site, securing strategically important land in line with our Open Space Strategy.

$6.19 million for climate and sustainability initiatives, including $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.

$4.56 million for community facilities, supporting renewal and upgrade works across Mackie Road Reserve Pavilion, Bailey Reserve Softball Pavilion and Glen Huntly Pavilion.

$2.22 million for 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.

$2.20 million for activity centres, supporting improvements to streets, public spaces and local centres.

Rates and the rate cap variation

For 2026–27, we applied to the Essential Services Commission for a one-year rate cap variation. The ESC approved an additional 2.25 per cent above the Victorian Government’s 2.75 per cent rate cap, resulting in a total rate increase of five per cent for the year.

The additional revenue generated is estimated at approximately $3 million and will contribute to improving our long-term financial sustainability and supporting the priorities identified through the Financial Sustainability Strategy.

Financial Plan

Planning for the next 10 years

The 2026–2036 Financial Plan provides a transparent view of our long-term financial position. It shows how strategic priorities can be funded within available resources, highlights future financial pressures and risks, and supports informed, evidence-based decision-making.

It does not assume decisions that have not yet been made. Instead, it provides a robust financial baseline that allows Council and the community to clearly understand the implications of different choices over time.

The Financial Plan also links to our integrated planning framework, including the Community Vision, Council Plan, Asset Plan, Revenue and Rating Plan, Workforce Plan and Budget. This helps ensure our services, assets, workforce and finances are aligned and focused on delivering meaningful outcomes for the Glen Eira community.