Budget engagement begins

GOLDEN Plains Shire staff are asking the community to contribute to the next financial year’s budget.

Locals are invited to provide feedback about what services are most important and where the municipality should focus resources.

“The budget outlines how resources are prioritised to deliver important and relevant programs to the community identified by council as priorities in the council plan 2025-2029,” mayor Cr Owen Sharkey said.

“While we’re navigating a complex financial landscape, we’re still striving to maintain our essential services.

“We want to know what services matter most to you, and where we should focus our resources.”

Residents can lodge a budget submission on the Golden Plains Shire website or in person until 9am on Monday 2 February 2026.

Written submissions should be addressed to manager finance, Golden Plains Shire Council, PO Box 111, Bannockburn, VIC, 3331 or emailed to [email protected].

An online survey is also available on the Shire’s website and will be open until 5pm on Monday 5 January.

Thinktank workshops were held earlier this week at Bannockburn and Smythesdale, and a further online session will be held on Wednesday 28 January 2026 to outline information received during the engagement process.

Councillors will consider budget submissions at a meeting to be held in February 2026 and the final budget will be considered in May 2026.