20/05/2026
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WODONGA COUNCIL DRAFT BUDGET โฆ.. 2026โ2027
This is a FAIR and RESPONSIBLE budget.
A Rate rise of 2.38% โฆโฆ.0.37% below the State Government Rate Cap
No extra charge to our Garbage and Recycling or our Waste Management levy.
(a surplus of around 100k) although l believe this surplus could be somewhat higher, if we go on past years budget forecast and final results.
The 3rd quarter Wodonga Councilโs financial report has the surplus running at around $560k.
This Budget recognises the real cost-of-living pressures many in our community are facing, while still delivering the services and infrastructure our city needs.
Importantly, this budget includes a VERY ambitious capital works program of more than $37.49 million, which includes around $9 million rolled over from the last financial year (2025-2026)
Council debt is now at its lowest level in around 20 years. That means less money being spent on interest and debt repayments, and more money available to focus on Councilโs core responsibilities and community priorities.
In preparing this budget, Council also discussed the potential financial headwinds we may face in the coming year, including ongoing inflationary pressures and rising fuel costs. As a result, a higher allocation for fuel costs has been included to ensure we are budgeting responsibly and realistically.
We were also mindful of broader inflation impacts across Council operations. Some of these pressures may be partially offset through higher interest earnings on Council cash deposits.
I often hear the argument that not taking the full rate cap โ or not imposing a higher rate rise โ negatively impacts Council due to the compounding effect on future revenue.
My response is simple: the compounding effect works exactly the same way on ratepayers.
Every rate increase becomes the base for the next increase, compounding year after year on household budgets and small businesses. *This is one of the key reasons Wodongaโs rates became among the highest in Victoria in the past.
*Pet registrations will rise by 2.75% - desexed dog and cat registered for 2026-2027 will be $34.60
* Some of the user fees have increased by more than the 2.38% and above the State Government rate cap. These increases reflect the rising costs of providing these services (some discretionary) which in many cases are still partly subsidised by Council.
Importantly, these fee increases do not impact all Wodonga residents โ only those who choose to use the particular service.
If Council were to absorb all of the increased costs associated with delivering these services, along with the additional discretionary spending some are proposing be added to the budget, it would amount to hundreds of thousands โ if not millions โ of dollars in additional expenditure.
Those costs would place significant pressure on the budget and would likely require Council to increase rates well beyond the State Government rate cap of 2.75%.
I do not believe that would be responsible to our ratepayers or financially sustainable for Council in the long term.
*Lastly ..A big Thank you to our Council staff/team for all the hard work and time dedicated in putting together this Budget. Long hours and countless discussions have been had behind the scenes in getting together this detailed document.
It is very appreciated ๐๐โญ๏ธ๐
The community is invited to review the Draft Budget 2026-2027* and provide feedback via Make Wodonga Yours from Wednesday, May 20. Consultation will close at 5pm on Tuesday, June 9, 2026.
https://www.wodonga.vic.gov.au/Portals/0/Downloads/Finance_and_Budget_Delegated_C_24SGXaPNV06ALYLFwIBCcw.pdf
https://makewodongayours.com.au/draft-budget-2026-2027
