The City of Greater Bendigo is calling on the community to help shape the 2025/2026 Budget and the next four-year Council Plan by sharing your priorities and what matters most to you.
The annual Budget is essential for making day-to-day life in Greater Bendigo possible, funding over 60 vital services and maintaining infrastructure that supports everyone in the community.
Around 60 per cent of the City's revenue comes from rates, with the remainder from user fees, charges, and government grants.
Mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf emphasised the importance of community involvement at the start of the Budget and Council Plan development process.
"You are invited to participate by completing a quick survey to help us understand how you would prioritise public spending for our region," Cr Metcalf said.
"This feedback will guide the development of the four-year Council Plan and Health Plan, the Asset Plan, the Financial Plan, and the 2025/2026 Budget.
"Your input is important as we continue to face ongoing financial challenges with the cost of City-run facilities and services rising faster than the income from rates, fees, and grants.
"Costs for construction materials, fuel, and other essential resources continue to rise.
"By sharing your views, you can help identify the services and facilities you value most and ensure our spending remains aligned with community priorities.
"The survey features a Budget funding tool, where you can allocate $100 across services such as: waste management, roads, drains, footpaths, parks and garden and open spaces, town planning, safety, footpaths and trails, tourism and economic development, climate action and much more.
"This is your chance to influence Greater Bendigo's future, so I encourage you to take a moment and make your contribution count.
"It is important we hear from people from all walks of life and from different parts of Greater Bendigo. Your input will guide Councillors in understanding the community's priorities and crafting the Budget and four-year Council Plan, together with key strategies."
Last year's pre-Budget engagement attracted a three-fold increase in community feedback compared to the year before. The top four priorities were ranked as follows: roads, bridges, and drainage; waste, recycling, and resource recovery; parks, gardens, and open spaces; and footpaths, tracks, and trails.
These insights informed the 2024/2025 Budget, which included funds for the following:
- $11.1M for road renewals
- $3M for road patching
- $2.8M for new and renewed footpaths
- $674,000 for shared paths
- $1.8M for Bendigo Creek infrastructure renewal
- $900,000 to continue the Kennington Reservoir dam wall rehabilitation
- Contributions to major projects like the Heathcote Civic Precinct upgrade and Bendigo Low Line shared path
- $320,000 for environmental upgrades, including solar installations and energy efficiency improvements
