At this week’s Scheduled Council Meeting, Swan Hill Rural City Council endorsed the release of the Draft Budget 2026/27 for community feedback, outlining continued investment in essential services, infrastructure and local priorities across the municipality.
During the meeting, Councillors raised several questions regarding the Budget and were reassured that Council officers would continue to closely monitor financial performance throughout the year through quarterly reporting. This process provides Councillors with regular oversight of Council’s financial position, the opportunity to raise concerns, and allows emerging financial pressures to be identified early - particularly in areas where services or facilities may be operating at a loss. It also ensures Council can respond where needed, adjust and keep spending on track throughout the financial year.
Council Mayor, Stuart King, said the Draft Budget builds on another productive year of delivering practical improvements that support local communities while responding to the ongoing financial challenges facing regional councils.
“We’re pleased to present the 2026/27 Draft Budget for the Swan Hill Rural City municipality and the communities we serve,” Cr King said.
“Every day, Council delivers more than 70 essential services that help make our community a great place to live - from libraries and maternal and child health to waste management, youth services, environmental programs and advocacy. Alongside this, we continue to invest in practical infrastructure and projects that improve everyday life for our residents,” he added.
Cr King said it was important to acknowledge the financial pressures Council continues to face.
“We’re operating in a constrained environment shaped by state and federal policy settings that directly affect what we can deliver. Over time, Federal Financial Assistance Grants have reduced significantly, meaning less funding is available to support local services and infrastructure. At the same time, councils are increasingly being asked to take on more responsibility without the funding to match.
“In Victoria, rate capping limits how much councils can increase rates each year. Over the past five years, Council’s operating costs have risen by around 28 per cent, while rates have increased by only approximately 16 per cent. This growing gap places increasing pressure on Council’s ability to maintain essential services and renew important community assets such as roads, parks and public buildings.
Despite significant financial pressures, including reductions in grant funding, consecutive rate caps set below inflation, and rising operating costs such as fuel and diesel, Council has again chosen not to seek a variation to the State Government’s rate cap in recognition of the cost-of-living pressures being experienced across our municipality.
Instead, we are focused on carefully managing rising costs through ongoing efficiency improvements and, where necessary, the rationalisation of some assets and services, while continuing to deliver the essential infrastructure and services our community relies on,” Cr King said.
The draft 2026/27 Budget includes a $36 million capital works program that continues investment in practical projects to improve local infrastructure, community facilities and public spaces across the municipality. Major works include the Karinie Street reconstruction, upgrades to the Swan Hill stormwater network, continued investment in Robinvale through drainage and CBD improvements, riverfront masterplan projects and a new off-leash dog park, as well as significant projects on Pental Island including the footbridge and cultural tourism development.
The Budget also delivers upgrades to sporting and recreation facilities, including improvements to the Swan Hill Showgrounds sports precinct, Lake Boga Netball Court replacement, as well as continued investment in community amenities and sustainability through Swan Hill CBD beautification project, public toilet renewals, a new mooring platform at Riverside Park, rollout of the FOGO kerbside service, and community projects such as the Robinvale Community Arts Centre ceiling renewal, Pioneer Settlement rotunda works and implementation of local community plans.
Cr King said Council would also continue progressing important long-term priorities including housing supply, key masterplans, road renewal and critical infrastructure to support safe, connected and resilient communities.
“I am keen to hear strong and broad community feedback on this Draft Budget, because these decisions affect every part of our municipality
“At the same time, I believe it’s important we continue to plan responsibly for the future. Given the ongoing financial pressures we face, I would like to see Council continue to take a careful and conservative approach to budgeting - one that protects essential services, supports long-term sustainability and ensures we remain financially responsible.
“We encourage community members to take the time to review the draft Budget and provide feedback before 5pm on Tuesday, 2 June 2026,” Cr King concluded.
Click here to view the draft budget 2026/27 and provide a comment.