Geelong council signals return to draft budget process after community criticism

GEELONG councillors have conceded a controversial overhaul of the budget consultation process failed to meet expectations, as they adopted a $746 million spending plan for the coming financial year.

Several councillors, including deputy mayor Eddy Kontelj and Cr Melissa Cadwell acknowledged the process would likely need to be revisited after council opted not to publicly exhibit a draft budget before its adoption.

For the first time, residents were unable to review and comment on a draft budget before it was adopted, after changes to the Local Government Act gave councils greater discretion over the consultation process.

Instead, community feedback was sought earlier in the budget’s development through listening posts, online consultation and a deliberative engagement panel.

Opening Tuesday night’s meeting in the mayor’s absence, Cr Eddy Kontelj acknowledged the revised process had not worked as intended.

“We do recognise that parts of that process perhaps did not work as well as we would have liked or intended and we’ve heard the feedback from the community clearly on that,” he said.

“If any of the community members feel let down by that, I certainly acknowledge it and I apologise on behalf of all of us.

“It was certainly not the intent.”

Cr Melissa Cadwell said abandoning the draft budget exhibition process had removed an important opportunity for residents to influence council spending decisions.

“This new process has removed a fundamental aspect of community and resident advocacy,” she said.

“We’ve taken away an important vehicle for residents to express their thoughts directly to their elected representatives after they’re in possession of all the relevant facts.”

She said the City of Greater Geelong was one of only nine of the state’s 79 councils to adopt the new approach.

“In my view, we need to go back to that process,” Cr Cadwell said. “It’s worked well for both the council and the residents foralmost 30 years, and I’ll be working hard with the officers to make that happen.”

Despite the criticism, councillors unanimously adopted the 2026-27 budget, which includes a 2.75 per cent rates increase in line with the Victorian Government cap.

The budget forecasts a cash surplus of $2.4 million and includes a $171.6 million capital works program, while reducing council debt by $27.5 million over the next 12 months.

The council expects its borrowings to fall from $163.9 million to $111 million by 2029-30, while returning to an operating surplus within the next few years.

Major projects funded through the budget include stage two of the Northern Bellarine Aquatic Centre, the Drysdale Sporting Precinct, the final stage of upgrades to Landy Field and the Yirrama Community Hub in Armstrong Creek.

The budget also allocates funding towards the Waurn Ponds Skate Park and Dirt Jumps precinct, upgrades at Wallington Reserve and continued delivery of projects across Geelong’s growth areas.

Cr Kontelj described the budget as “responsible” and “balanced”, saying it reflected the council’s commitment to living within its means.

“While no budget is perfect, this one certainly, I believe, demonstrates financial stewardship,” he said.