This is the second budget of our four-year Plan for Port Phillip, which guides everything we do as a council.
Mayor Alex Makin said careful financial management allowed Council to rollout initiatives including a significant capital works program to maintain, grow and improve services and facilities – despite rising costs and continuing high inflation, on-going rate capping challenges and government cost-shifting.
“This budget was informed by several rounds of community consultation, including before the draft budget was prepared. The result is a financially responsible, sustainable budget, embedding $2.4 million in efficiency savings, which allows us to continue to care for our assets and community,” Cr Makin said.
“From parks and infrastructure to community facilities and safety, this budget supports a liveable and connected Port Phillip.”
Budget 2026/27 includes an average rate rise of 2.75 per cent in line with the Victorian Government’s rate cap, which is lower than forecast inflation of 4.9 per cent. The budget is debt-free apart from existing leases which are part of the financing strategy.
The $123.1 million in capital works and initiatives include:
- $26 million on parks, open space and streetscapes, including $530,000 towards the Sandridge Recreation Precinct in Fishermans Bend and new open space in Lakeside ($450,000)
