The budget balancing act

EVERY time I walk along a new footpath, past a renovated sports pavilion, or a freshly resurfaced netball court, I think about the decisions that got us there.

Not the ribbon-cuttings, but the years of planning, budgeting, and prioritising that happen behind the scenes. It’s not glamorous work, but it’s important and it needs to be done with care.

At last month’s council meeting, after many months of work and 380 community submissions, Council adopted the 2025–26 Budget.

As the Chair of the Finance portfolio, I can tell you we’ve worked hard on what we heard matters most: easing cost-of-living pressure, keeping our infrastructure strong, and staying financially responsible.

We’ve held the rate rise to 2.5 per cent. This is below the State Government’s 3 per cent cap. It’s a small gesture, but a deliberate one as we understand that every dollar matters to families right now.

We’ve also removed a few fees – the Permit to Burn Fee, the Low Impact Film Fee and small Community Event Permit Fees.

They weren’t adding much to the budget bottom line and removing them is about cutting red tape and making everyday community life easier.

We’ve also introduced one free two-hour parking session per car, per day, in central Geelong.

It’s a simple way to support our retailers and encourage people to spend time in the city centre.

This year’s budget includes a modest surplus of just over half a million dollars. We have also committed to no new borrowing for the next four years.

That’s important as it shows we’re not just planning for today but working to reduce our long-term debt and protect the city’s financial health.

By June 30, 2029, we are aiming to have reduced the City’s debt from $205 million to $136 million.

To achieve this mission, the budget identifies $17 million of property sales this financial year.

However, our capital works program will remain a key priority, with a forecasted investment of $765 million over the next four years.

We’ve also increased our four-year asset renewal spend from $234 million in the previous budget to $315 million, to make the most of our existing infrastructure and facilities.

We are also seeing investment locally. For example, in Mt Duneed we’ve secured $150,000 to plan and design footpaths.

This might sound minor, but it’s a vital step. Without plans ready, we can’t apply for federal funding. This is how we lay the groundwork for real progress.

Additional funding has also been secured to ensure that new Winter Reserve Netball Courts and netball change rooms are completed within the original project scope.

Local council is the only level of government to invite submissions on its budget. Your 380 submissions weren’t just noted, they shaped the final outcome. That’s real community engagement and I’m proud of it.

Every budget is a balancing act to show financial responsibility and meet the needs and expectations of the community.

While we’d like to provide every possible service and fund everything that’s out there, we sadly don’t have unlimited resources.

However, I believe we’ve done what good budgets should do: listen carefully, make the tough calls, and keep moving forward with discipline and care.

From infrastructure upgrades to social programs, we have carefully allocated every dollar to maximise its impact.

To read the budget in full, head to geelongaustralia.com.au/budget

Cr Andrew Katos

Deakin Ward,

City of Greater Geelong