General News
27 June, 2025
Ratepayer funds allocated across Central Goldfields Shire in new budget
It’s a new council and a new budget entering the 2025/26 financial year, but some things remain the same, with the budget reflecting ongoing financial pressure on the organisation.
At Wednesday night’s council meeting the 2025/26 Budget, alongside the Revenue and Rating Plan, was adopted emphasising a focus on community priorities while remaining financially sustainable.
Described as councillor’s “most important decision” they make in a year, the budget will shape where ratepayer dollars go across the municipality.
It means over $10 million to capital works, including funding to various community initiatives, alongside the continued delivery of over 37 services.
Central Goldfields Shire mayor Grace La Vella said the budget reflected the kind of shire residents wanted to live in, balancing investment in important initiatives while managing resources wisely.
“Given how tight budgets are for rural councils like ours, we’re proud to have been able to shape a budget that reflects the needs of our community, balances investment in important projects and services whilst ensuring our long-term financial sustainability,” she said.
Although less than the 2024/25 budget, the council’s $10.62 million capital works program includes $4.3 million in newly committed projects and $6.32 million in carry forward works — described as “sustainable” by councillor Gerard Murphy.
Almost all of these funds, 95 percent, have been allocated to renewing and upgrading existing infrastructure.
Roads, a regular point of complaint for locals, will have $3.15 million allocated to them alongside drains, footpaths and bike paths.
Other key initiatives reflect community feedback including $450,000 to ongoing design works for the Maryborough Outdoor Pool alongside commitments to works at the Princes Park Grandstand and progressing the Castlemaine-Maryborough Rail Trail.
The Deledio Recreation Reserve Pavilion will also receive a new, multi-use, modular-build pavilion to support local sport and the community.
The project was made possible through Federal and State Government support alongside a council investment of $1 million, including a $500,000 loan. It marks a positive outcome to Cr Murphy.
“This is very positive, positive, for the community not only in Dunolly but for the whole of our community,” he said.
The budget also forecasts a $1.58 million surplus in addition to the forecast surplus of $723,000 for the 2024/25 budget all chipping away at the five million deficit of 2023/24.
Councillor Liesbeth Long echoed the council’s shared sentiment of pride in the last budget of the 2021-2025 Council Plan.
“This year’s budget reflects our shared commitment to delivery on community priorities while ensuring responsible financial management and long term sustainability,” she said.
Although there has previously been mention of applying for a rate cap variation, which would see more revenue raised through a higher rate increase, the Central Goldfields Shire Council have managed this year’s budget within the three percent rate cap set by the State Government.
Delivering on a budget when “we don’t have any money”, as Cr Murphy described, is a challenge the shire’s staff were commended for.
Between the numbers and projects Cr Long also took a moment to acknowledge the staff’s work.
“As these words are rolling off my tongue, I don’t feel that justice is being done to the six months and countless hours that Central Goldfields Shire general managers, officers and staff have put in,” she said.
“I hereby would like to commend our interim CEO [Sally] Jones and her staff on bringing this budget to us. The end result being this positive financial outlook that reflects council’s continued focus on efficiency, cost control, and long term sustainability.”