Council seeks community feedback on budget

Following months of deliberation and careful consideration, Council has just released our proposed budget for the next four years for community feedback.

This budget represents a careful balance between meeting the needs of our rapidly growing community and maintaining the long-term financial health of our organisation.

Like most local governments, the City of Greater Geelong continues to face financial pressure, with our costs climbing at a higher rate than the state government’s 2.75 per cent rate cap.

Despite these pressures, we continue to be dedicated to delivering important services and infrastructure for our community.

The capital projects budget is very exciting, with largescale investment over the next four years in a wide range of community facilities across the region.

We have set aside $210.5 million for 2024-25 and $752.6 million over the next four years. We are also working hard to find and make use of state and federal government grant opportunities to help fund capital projects.

For those on the Bellarine, we’ve proposed significant funding for local sporting facilities, bike tracks and paths, and public open space reserves.

Notable highlights include $3.5 million towards the development of the Ocean Grove District Ride Centre, $6.61 this coming financial year, and $2.82 the next towards stage two of the Drysdale Sporting Precinct development, significant investment in the design and costing stage of the Bellarine part of the shared trails masterplan, and a multi-million-dollar co-contribution to upgrading the Wallington Reserve pavilion among others.

These planned investments demonstrate our recognition of the importance of providing high-quality outdoor spaces that encourage community members to enjoy the beautiful natural environment we have here on the peninsula.

Outside of capital works funding, this budget also recognises our role in encouraging community projects, driving environmental sustainability, supporting small businesses and hospitality venues, and boosting our arts and culture venues and our libraries.

As part of this, we have increased our community grants budget, reduced al fresco and busking fees, and allocated significant funds towards supporting the operation of arts and culture venues.

Regarding rates, we understand the community is feeling cost of living pressures. We’re in a position where our costs are still rising across the board – at a much more rapid rate than the government’s rate cap.

So we have had to raise rates, but we have kept overall rises to the 2.75 per cent cap, and we’ve tried to minimise fees and charges increases as much as possible.

We aim to be a high performing council that provides outstanding value to its community, and we think this budget sets the platform for us to do that in a sustainable way.

The proposed budget is available for community feedback until 5pm on Wednesday 22 May via geelong.link/Budget24-25

All submissions will be considered before the final budget is presented to Council for consideration during our June meeting.

Councillors will also be available to speak to the community at a series of budget information sessions. Community members can visit the ‘Have Your Say’ page to find their nearest session.

Cr Elise Wilkinson

Bellarine Ward