Councillor Libby Hall Wodonga City Council

WODONGA COUNCIL DRAFT BUDGET ….. 2026–2027

This is a FAIR and RESPONSIBLE budget.

A Rate rise of 2.38% …….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 Council’s 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 Council’s 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 — or not imposing a higher rate rise — 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 Wodonga’s 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 — 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 — if not millions — 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 👏👏⭐️🙏

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

MY THOUGHTS ON THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT BUDGET.

Spending over $30 billion more each year than you receive is a recipe for disaster.

Even with bracket creep pushing tax collections higher every year, along with increased taxes on investment through changes to negative gearing and capital gains, this government still cannot live within its means. It is the highest taxing government in Australia’s history.

Meanwhile, Australians are being left with a debt burden projected to exceed $1.25 trillion. Future generations will be paying the price for decades through massive interest repayments alone.

This budget is deeply irresponsible.

The government’s own documents acknowledge policies that will reduce rental housing supply by around 35,000 homes. Fewer rental properties means higher rents and even less affordability for everyday Australians. At the same time, migration forecasts continue to rise beyond previous projections (2 million extra over the Labor’s time in government) placing even greater pressure on housing, infrastructure and essential services.

Young Australians were promised more affordable housing, yet the reality is becoming clear — it is all smoke and mirrors.

Where is the intergenerational fairness the Government constantly talks about?

Where are the incentives for young aspirational Australians to save, invest, buy a home and build a future for themselves?

Instead, young people are being handed higher taxes, higher rents, higher house prices and record debt.

“HAPPY MOTHERS DAY” 🌹❤️
TO ALL THE MOTHERS, GRANDMOTHERS AND CARERS

ANZAC DAY 25/4/2026 - Dawn Service Wodonga’s Woodland Grove

I was joined by my fellow Councillors, Cassie Aldridge - Wodonga Council - Huon Creek Ward, Ron Mildren for Wodonga Council, Josh Knight -Wodonga City Councillor -Baranduda Ranges Ward and MAYOR Councillor Michael Gobel at the morning service at Wodonga’s Woodland Grove, where we also witnessed the unveiling of the newly refurbished Centaur.

The two soldiers atop of the Cenotaph are a powerful symbol, representing both past and present service members.
The refurbishment looks fantastic. Congratulations to the Wodonga RSL, Wodonga Council and the landscapers for the outstanding work—they have created a space the whole community can be proud of.

This morning’s Dawn Service felt like one of the largest we’ve ever seen, and it continues to grow each year. It’s heartening to see such strong community respect for our fallen, returned, and current service personnel.

Wodonga Council are one of the Councils who do not support the introduction of the Purple Bin.
Our community do not need or want this unnecessary cost imposed on them.
We have very good recycling rates in our city, some of the highest in the State.
The extra bin and the charge burden added to our rates, is in my opinion not necessary.

https://www.facebook.com/100077361348383/posts/994156109839758/

Nearly half of the state’s councils have united to slam the government’s four bin per household rollout as they join forces to call for the purple glass recycling bins to be trashed > https://bit.ly/4c2DbXU

My own personal opinions from what l have observed and experienced over the last 4 yrs.

I am glad this issue has been made public, because it is very real and in my opinion needs to be discussed.
To be honest, I’m becoming increasingly frustrated with the politics around this issue.

During the last term of council in 2022, the councillor group unanimously agreed to advocate for a new greenfield site hospital rather than a rebuild of the existing brownfield site. At the time there was little support for that position, even from our now Federal Mp and the cross border Albury Council, but we believed it was the best long-term outcome for our regional communities.

Over time more people came on board, which was encouraging to see. However, I have also watched the issue gradually turn into something quite different. What began as genuine advocacy for better health infrastructure for our region has, in my view, increasingly become a political platform used by some to build support for preferred candidates.

I have never changed my position on the need for a new greenfield hospital. My concern is that the conversation has shifted from constructive advocacy to something closer to activism by groups/people that appear to have political links or agendas.

The real question we should all be asking is whether this approach will genuinely deliver a better outcome for our community.

As we move toward the next election cycle, I think it is important for people to look closely at who is putting their hand up on this issue, who is behind the various groups and commentary, and what their motivations may be.

Our community deserves an honest conversation focused on achieving the best possible hospital outcome — not one driven by politics.

What I learned inside Albury hospital about the divisive 'greenfield' debate Councillor warns activism is damaging our trusted health service.