Council adopts budget to support services, facilities & infrastructure

Blacktown City Council has adopted its plans, budget and rates for 2026/27.

Council made the decision at Monday night’s Ordinary Meeting, after publicly exhibiting the plans and considering community feedback.

Council’s 2026/27 budget has reached $1 billion, reflecting the scale of services, facilities and infrastructure needed for a city of over 460,000 people.

The budget supports everyday services residents rely on, including roads, drainage, parks, playgrounds, libraries, pools, sporting fields, community facilities and customer service.

It also continues Council’s focus on renewing ageing infrastructure and opening, operating and maintaining new and upgraded facilities for a growing city.

Blacktown City Mayor Brad Bunting said the budget was about keeping services moving and investing in the infrastructure residents rely on.

“This budget is about looking after the services people use every day and planning responsibly for a growing Blacktown City,” Mayor Bunting said.

“It will help Council maintain and renew local infrastructure, open and operate new and upgraded facilities, and support the staff and services needed for a growing city.

“We know households and businesses are under pressure, and Council understands this,” Mayor Bunting said.

“That is why Council adopted revised rates for the year ahead to ease the financial impact where it could, while still funding the services and infrastructure our city needs.”

“That is why we will keep looking for efficiencies while delivering the services and facilities our community expects.”

Council has consistently delivered balanced budgets, and the 2026/27 budget continues that proud record.

Council manages $7.1 billion in community assets and has invested $265 million in asset renewal over the past decade.

The budget provides an extra $10 million a year to help maintain and renew roads, stormwater, parks, sporting fields, playgrounds and footpaths.

Council also continues to face broader financial pressures, including population growth, inflation, rate pegging, cost shifting from other levels of government and the rising cost of maintaining services and infrastructure.

Cost shifting by the Commonwealth and State Governments adds $41.5 million a year to Council’s costs.

Mayor Bunting said Council would continue to look for savings and better ways to work.

“Council must always look for efficiencies, and we will keep doing that,” he said.

“But efficiencies alone will not operate new facilities, renew ageing assets or meet the service needs of a city approaching half a million people.

“Residents expect good local services, and rightly so. This budget is about meeting those expectations in a growing city.”

Council considered community submissions received during public exhibition before adopting the 2026/27 plans and budget.

Mayor Bunting said Council’s focus was now on delivery.

“This budget is about practical services and facilities people use every day,” Mayor Bunting said.

“We will keep explaining what the budget delivers and keep working hard for residents across every part of Blacktown City.”

The adopted documents include Council’s Delivery Program, Operational Plan, 2026/27 budget, Long Term Financial Plan, Works Improvement Program, Goods and Services Pricing Schedule and rating structure.

New rates will be reflected in rate notices from July 2026.