It’s not too late to join the 730 people who shared their feedback and contributed to our proposed 2024/25 Budget and proposed 10 Year Financial Plan.

The draft documents were endorsed by Councillors at their meeting on Tuesday night (28 May 2024).

Now’s your chance to have a sneak peek and tell us what you think before they’re finalised in late June.

Manningham Mayor, Councillor Carli Lange said, “For this year’s engagement on the Budget and 10 Year Financial Plan, we did things a little differently!

“After hearing from community members about their priorities for Council spending, we invited them along to pitch their ideas for inclusion in the proposed 2024/25 Budget and 10 Year Financial Plan.

“As a result, the draft documents align with our community’s priorities and will see us deliver an operating budget of $155 million to deliver more than 100 valuable services for our residents, businesses and visitors.”

This includes a $54 million capital works program to maintain and enhance our community assets, like:

• $12 million for roads and bridges
• $6 million for footpaths and cycleways
• $4 million for drainage
• $3.1 million for the Schramm’s Cottage Museum Complex Visitor Centre
• $1.6 million for playspace renewals
• $1.2 million for Ruffey Lake Park Masterplan implementation
• $1.1 million for Rieschiecks Reserve Management Plan
• $1.0 million to commence works on a co-working hub
• $1.0 million for a battery for Mullum Mullum stadium
• $0.3 million for a youth hub.

“We will also continue to deliver on our Climate Emergency Action Plan to reduce the impacts of climate change. We have allocated $11 million in our capital works program over the next ten years for Circular Economy, sustainability initiatives,” Cr Lange said.

The Mayor added, “With inflation continuing to be higher than average, we are conscious of cost-of-living pressures in our community.”

We will continue to support rate payers through:

• our financial hardship provisions including rates rebates for Low Income (LI) Health Care Card holders
• $2.25 million for community grants and contributions programs
• continued financial support to agencies that provide emergency relief to those in need in our community
• funding for the provision of food relief for those in need in our community
• subsidies for school holiday programs
• an average general rate increase in line with the State Government’s rate cap of 2.75 per cent.

“Conscious of cost of living pressures we have also proposed to freeze the waste service charge well below the 4.80 per cent increase in the cost of waste services to Council.” 

Cr Lange said increasing prices for delivering Council services, particularly around materials, labour and State Government cost shifting had created a challenging economic environment.

“Despite this, we have continued to focus on ongoing financial sustainability through innovation, efficiencies and responsible spending. We are also seeking alternative sources of income to reduce the dependence on rate income.”

We’re delivering on our Council Plan, including:

• $21 million for a healthy community
• $40 million for liveable places and spaces
• $19 million for a resilient environment
• $6 million for a vibrant prosperous economy
• $33 million for a well governed Council.

Provide your feedback

Visit Your Say Manningham to view the proposed 2024/25 Budget and proposed 10 Year Financial Plan, and complete a short survey to provide your feedback.

Hard copies of the proposed documents and survey are available at the Manningham Civic Centre customer service desk and Manningham libraries.

The final 2024/25 Budget and 10 Year Financial Plan will be considered for endorsement by Council at its meeting on 25 June 2024.