Cardinia Shire Council’s Budget for 2024/25 aligns with Cardinia’s Council Plan 2021–25 and Community Vision to deliver on our community’s aspirations.

The budget has been developed with an awareness and appreciation of the current cost of living pressures being experienced by our community. For this reason, Council has not applied to the Essential Services Commission (ESC) for a variation to the 2.75% rate cap.

The theme for budget development this year has been “creating a financially sustainable legacy” with the priority on maintaining existing services and delivering projects already underway.

The draft budget documents were published for community exhibition and comment between 16 April and 17 May 2024. During the budget consultation period, the following engagement activities occured:

We received a number of comments online as well as in person about the budget, including themes such as fixing roads and infratructure, playground and park maintenance, roads, rubbish and community facilities.

Additional to the 8 pop-ups we also presented the opportunity for community members to have their say on the budget at the following:

• Access and Inclusion Advisory Group - 17 April 2024
• Multicultural Advisory Group - 18 April 2024
• Cardinia Interfaith Network - 2 May 2024

Thank you to all those who contributed and provided feedback on the 24-25 Council Budget. Your comments have influenced the final outcome of the Budget, which you can download and read in the link below:

Council plans to commit

• $238.3 million in capital infrastructure over the next four years, with an $82.3 million capital program (including $21.0 million carry-over from 2023/24) in the 2024/25 financial year.
• Of the total capital works program for 2024/25, $64.7 million is dedicated for renewal and upgrade of our $2.5 billion worth of community assets.

Expenditure on Council assets is detailed in the Capital Works Program and for 2024/25 this amounts to $82.3 million ($40.9 million funded by rates, $21.3 million from grants and contributions and $20 million from borrowings), which includes $21.0 million worth of projects carried forward from 2023/24.

Highlights of the capital works program include:

• Roads and Bridges ($29.9m) – continuing delivery of the “Better Local Roads - Connect Cardinia” and “Sealing of the Hills” projects, replacing bridges on Simpson Road and Tenby Road, and ongoing maintenance of roads and footpaths.
• Drainage ($1.4m) – drainage improvements at Beaconsfield Station, Macclesfield Road, and Tynong Roads and rehabilitation works at Nobelius Heritage Park.
• Buildings ($22m) – construction of the Thewlis Road Child and Family Centre and Pavilions at Upper Beaconsfield and Cora Lynn recreation reserves, as well as maintenance and refurbishment for Council-owned buildings.
• Recreational, leisure and community facilities ($1.8m) – renovation of the Pakenham Pool, installing new cricket nets at Chandler Recreation Reserve, and upgrading lighting at the Nar Nar Goon Recreation Reserve.
• Parks, open space, and streetscapes ($6.7m) – completing works at Officer District Park, constructing stage 1a of the Pakenham Revitalisation project and installing new playgrounds at Toomuc Recreation Reserve, WB Ronald Park, and Greenland Ct Reserve.

Key initiatives and projects included in the budget include:

• $21.7 million in renewal of existing assets including roads, drains, paths, playgrounds and swimming pools.
• Construct Stage 1a of Pakenham Revitalisation project.
• $9.3 million to continue delivery of the ‘Sealing of the Hills’ project.
• Commence construction of the Upper Beaconsfield Recreation Reserve Pavilion and deliver Cora Lynn Reserve Pavilion.
• Completion of Officer District Park.
• Coordinate health and wellbeing initiatives across the Shire in line with the priorities set in Cardinia Shire’s Liveability Plan 2017-29.
• Funding the 2024 Council elections and development of the new Council Plan 2025-29.
• Increase in operating funding for maintenance of trees and open drains.

Council's budget is influenced by a number of external influences including:

As well as the above external influences, there are a number of internal influences expected to impact the budget projections, including:

• Continued demands on Council resources for the renewal of existing assets.
• The value of developer contributed assets and completed capital works, together with an increase in the value of existing assets, is impacting depreciation and maintenance expenditure