THE Bass Coast Shire Council has unveiled a new $123.1 million budget ahead of this Wednesday’s council meeting of which $87.5 million is allocated to day-to-day Council operations, $31.4 million to capital works and $5.035 million in debt repayments.
Expenditure excluding depreciation and amortisation for the 2025-26 year is expected to be $87.9 million.
Employee costs are expected to increase from $36.674 million to $38.953 million, going to $43.690 million by 2028-29.
The vast majority of council funding is provided by the ratepayers and those paying fees and charges.
Council’s spending program will be financed by total rates and charges of $81.5 million, up from $77.6 million this financial year, of which rates are expected to generate $61.6 million, compared to a projected $59.3 million in last year’s budget.
According to the council meeting papers, the 2025-26 budget projects an operating deficit of $1.56 million for 2025-26 and an adjusted underlying deficit of $10 million.
But despite debt levels reaching $28,792 million by June 30, 2025, the budget papers say the shire is “maintaining a balanced funding statement position”.
“The forward indicators confirm Council’s financial position will remain sound over the four-year outlook with a cumulative four-year operating surplus of $5.6 million and a decreasing adjusted underlying deficit.”
Council expects to get its borrowings down to $22.458 million by 2028-29 while paying upwards of a $1 million each year in interest, paying between $5 million and $2.6 million in loan principal and taking on new borrowings in the next three years of $2 million, $3.8 million and $1.5 million.
Features of the capital works program of $31.3 million will be investment in new tracks and trails and the commencement of the externally funded Cowes Streetscape development.
“The Budget provides for significant upgrades to netball pavilions at both Wonthaggi and Bass Recreation Reserves, whilst continuing to invest in the renewal of Council assets, ensuring the access, usage and service levels are maintained.
“Council will continue to advocate for State and Federal government financial support for the delivery of major intergenerational capital projects.
“Council declared a climate emergency in 2019. In response to this, dedicated funding is included the Capital Budget providing new infrastructure to achieve actions as per our adopted Climate Change Action Plan 2020-30.”
The new borrowings of $2 million in the 2025-26 financial year will provide $1 million for the Wonthaggi Netball Pavilion and $1 million for the 14km inland path between Wonthaggi and Inverloch.
Although the budget does not provide a breakdown of the cost of operating the shire’s two arts centres, at Wonthaggi and Cowes (Berninneit), operational costs are disclosed at $2.468 million, with an income of $922,000 and an operating loss of $1.546 million.
2025-26 Budget Snapshot
- $123.1 million total gross budget
- $87.5 million operating budget to support Council services
- $31.4 million Capital Works Program funding to invest in new infrastructure and meet asset renewal targets
- $4.2 million Debt Servicing
- 3% average general rate increase in line with the State Government rate cap
2025-26 Budget Highlights
- $16.3 million on our leisure and recreational facilities, including
- Bass Recreation Reserve netball pavilion ($2.0 million),
- Wonthaggi netball pavilion $1.9 million,
- Art, cultural and heritage services at Wonthaggi Union Community Arts Centre and Berninneit $2.5 million,
- Playspace renewal and upgrade program $340,000.
- $10.8 million to improve and maintain Council’s road network, including:
- Grantville-Glen Alvie road improvements ($1.4 million)
- Investment in urban roads renewal ($2.0 million)
- Urban roads and drainage improvement program ($650,000)
- $4.3 million to improve tracks, trails and footpaths, including:
- Inverloch to Wonthaggi trail ($3.5 million)
- Cowes to Ventnor Trail Design ($220,000)
- Pathway Gaps and Renewal Program ($575,000)
- $14.6 million to upgrade community facilities, including:
- Inverloch community hub renewal program ($1 million)
- Old Wonthaggi Post Office renewal ($1.1 million)
- Wonthaggi Union Community Arts Centre building renewal ($900,000)
- Powlett River Pedestrian bridge renewal ($650,000)
- $22.7 million on our waste services, including:
- Delivery and management of waste services ($16.0 million)
- Landfill rehabilitation ($5.1 million)
- Waste facility improvements ($1.6 million).
