Council
7 July, 2025
Council adopts 2025/2026 budget
Hindmarsh Shire Council adopted the 2025/2026 Budget of $10.336 million at its recent council meeting on June 18, with a significant allocation for roads, footpaths and tourism.
The total budget amount is an increase of $0.294 million from last year.
Councillors adopted the budget during the meeting and also approved the Revenue and Rating Plan and the Long-Term Financial Plan for the period 2025/2026 to 2034/2035.
Hindmarsh Shire Council's Chief Executive, Monica Revell, said the budget aligns with the community's priorities.
"Councillors have listened to the community and built a budget that prioritises roads and core services," she said.
"We know how important quality roads are to our farmers, and we've prioritised key agricultural routes for renewal.
"In our towns, we're delivering improvements to areas that focus on the biggest impacts - footpaths near schools, key employers and the central business districts."
The 2025/2026 Annual Budget includes capital works expenditure of $7.033 million, with $4.693 million allocated for road construction, resheeting, resurfacing, and final sealing, as well as kerb and channel and footpath works (both for maintenance and capital works).
The Council stated that the budget has been developed to balance the retention of existing community service levels, maintenance and renewal of assets, and new initiatives to improve the amenity and make the shire a better place to live.
The key focuses of this budget are shaped significantly by community consultation, which addresses the priorities identified by residents.
The Council received one submission regarding the upgrades for Davis Park in Nhill and responded that they have applied for funding for masterplan development for several facilities across the municipality, including Davis Park.
"We'll continue to look for grants that support key community projects, but we're committed to delivering our core services to the highest quality possible," Ms Revell said.
Council also allocates funding for the maintenance and renewal of Council buildings.
The recent valuation of Council land and buildings provided the Council with a detailed list of all maintenance requirements for every Council building, identifying priority areas for the Council to focus maintenance and renewal expenditure on across all buildings.
A copy of the adopted 2025/2026 budget, incorporating the Revenue and Rating Plan, is available online by visiting www.hindmarsh.vic.gov.au/council-budget or at the Customer Service Centres in Nhill, Dimboola, Rainbow, and Jeparit.