Borough’s draft budget balances tight finances with community priorities

THE Borough of Queenscliffe has released its draft 2025-26 budget for public exhibition, as it works to balance the delivery of essential services with a financially constrained budget.

The document proposes a 3 per cent rate increase, in line with the cap set by the Victorian government, while residential properties will see a 1.6 per cent, or $8, decrease, in waste management charges.

It forecasts a “modest” recurring surplus of $88,000, described by council officers as “just above breakeven”, with funding allocated in the coming financial year for the borough to undertake an efficiency review to support the “delivery of a breakeven budget on a recurring basis”.

Speaking at the borough’s April meeting last week, Cr Isabelle Tolhurst said she believed the rating mechanism outlined in the 2025-26 draft budget remains “a fair one that’s considerate of the environment” which locally has been “difficult” for commercial operators amid cost-of-living pressures.

“We’ve increased the pension discount for those who might be feeling the pinch hardest, we’ve presented ongoing effective cost recovery for waste management, allocated significant funding to Hesse Street improvements – an area universally acknowledged as needing urgent attention to make it a thriving main street again.

“There’s healthy capital expenditure, a focus on improving caravan parks and recreation facilities, and also increasing solar on council buildings, a key component of the CERP [the borough’s climate emergency response plan] and significant in terms of driving down local emissions and increasing local energy generation.”

The budget also includes funding for a wayfinding strategy, which Cr Tolhurst said was aimed at improving access and direction to places of significance, reducing visual pollution and ensuring there’s a “clear story that connects direction and movements through the borough”.

As part of its April meeting, the council also unanimously approved the inclusion of a $17,000 contribution to The Headstone Project, a pilot program working to locate and honour the veterans currently lying in unmarked graves, in the 2025-26 draft budget.

The figure remains subject to community consultation and feedback.

Cr Tolhurst said the funds would assist the volunteer-run project to mark 14 of the remaining 28 unmarked graves at the Queenscliff cemetery with a concrete plinth and bronze plaque.

“This is a really exciting opportunity to again put Queenscliff on the map for a great project that celebrates our military history and fallen soldiers who’ve, to date, gone unrecognised,” she said.

“The budget, though still absolutely in draft form – and [we’re] very much eager to hear from the community about how they feel it sits – is evidence that our little borough can and does manage its finances soundly and sustainably while delivering outcomes for community and responding to community needs.”

Cr Donnie Grigau said it was important ratepayers had an opportunity to provide feedback on how the council was spending their money.

“I encourage everybody to come out and make a submission. Everything’s on the table and everything will be considered.

“Please don’t think you’re wasting your time by making a submission. We are looking forward to hearing from you.”

The borough will host a community budget presentation at the Queenscliff Town Hall on Wednesday, May 14 between 6pm and 7pm. The event will be livestreamed.

Feedback on the budget can be submitted in writing to [email protected] or by post to 50 Learmonth Street, Queencliff by 4pm on May 22.