Wodonga Council is proud to share our Draft Budget 2026-2027 and Draft Financial Plan 2026–2027 to 2035–2036 (the draft budget) for community consultation.

Every year, we prepare a budget and financial plan that outlines how we will use resources responsibly and impactfully, to deliver the services, programs and infrastructure projects our community needs. At the same time, like many households, we are managing rising costs and tighter financial conditions, which are impacting what our budget can deliver.

The 2026-2027 budget focuses on sound financial management and delivering outcomes that matter to the community. It supports continued service delivery through prudent planning and has a strong emphasis on efficiency.

Feedback from earlier consultation has informed the development of this budget and we are now seeking feedback from our community to help ensure we have the balance right.

The draft budget was considered at the council's Finance and Budget Delegated Committee meeting on Monday, May 18. A copy of the report presented to Councillors is available here. The Committee resolved to place the draft budget out for community consultation for a period of at least 21 days. At the meeting, the majority of councillors moved an amended motion that will see funding for the review of a sustainability strategy reallocated to the broader budget envelope, with the capacity to be made available as required by a specific resolution of council. The reallocation of this $60,000 is not reflected in the current draft budget documents.

Why we're consulting and what you can influence

This consultation comes after most of the hard work and early consultation has been completed. The draft budget reflects the community's desire for continued service delivery, prudent planning and investment in projects that make a beneficial impact for our community while respecting the current economic climate that our community is facing.

This consultation is a final check in with the community to make sure we have the balance right before the budget gets adopted. To maintain the same budget position, any changes at this point in time would come at the expense of something else.

Community engagement remains fundamental to guiding the council’s financial management and feedback is encouraged during the budget consultation period to ensure our decisions reflect your priorities and expectations.

We invite you to have your say, this consultation will close at 5pm on Tuesday, June 9.

The elements that make up the draft budget include:

• Draft Budget 2026-2027 - the full suite of financial details.
• Draft Budget 2026-2027 (Summary) - a high-level summary of the full draft budget.
• Draft Financial Plan 2026-2027 to 2035-2036 - the long-term financial plan, over a 10-year period.
• Service Profile 2026-2027 - details the services that the council will provide along with the cost and revenue in providing that service.

With an ongoing remit to deliver on the Wodonga 2050 – Community Vision and Council Plan 2025-2029, along with considerations to the current economic climate and cost of living pressures, a draft budget has been prepared to balance the immediate needs of the community with the long-term development of Wodonga.

The 2026-2027 draft budget focuses on sound financial management and delivering outcomes that matter to the community. It supports continued service delivery through prudent planning and has a strong emphasis on efficiency.

This budget make provision for several city building initiatives that, while subject to external funding and partnerships, reflect the council's ambition to enhance the liveability and connectivity of our city.

The budget enables one of Wodonga’s largest capital works programs at $37.49 million, which is accompanied by effective strategic planning and resource implementation to enable its delivery.

This program thoughtfully balances the needs of the entire community – from our children and families to our seniors, and we are in a strong position to prioritise the high-quality infrastructure and services our growing city needs to thrive.

A key focus of the budget is forward planning, which, for the first time, sees substantial investment directed toward design and preparation work for future capital projects.

In December 2025, the Victorian Government announced the 2026-2027 Rate Cap which applies to all local governments in Victoria.

The budget includes a rate increase of 2.38 per cent, which sits 0.37 cent below the rate cap set by the Victorian Government. Council's Finance and Budget Delegated Committee considered the rate cap and determined to not adopt the full rate increase allowable under the cap, prioritising cost-of-living pressures faced by our community without compromising on essential service delivery.

Wodonga Council anticipates just over $60 million in rates and charges in 2026-27, this represents around 53 per cent of total income/revenue and as such is crucial to delivering Council's services and works for the community.

Prudent financial management in recent years has positioned the council with the opportunity in the 2026-2027 budget to invest in infrastructure, enhance community facilities and deliver on the services that will continue to meet the evolving needs of Wodonga’s growth.

Through careful planning and significant savings achieved in the past two financial years, the council is in a strong position to support long-term reinvestment into our community.

With the community continuing to experience ongoing cost-of-living pressures, this year’s budget applies a measured and compassionate approach to planning that is both financially responsible and transparent.

Operational efficiencies have been identified to limit financial impact to residents while sustaining the delivery of all services that the community values and relies upon.

The investment in service delivery for 2026-2027 is proposed to be $67.11m. The capital works program for the year is $37.49m.

To provide a foundation for the council to meet the current and future needs of the community, the following underlying principles have been adopted to guide financial decision making:

• To achieve and maintain financial stability
• Revenue adequacy and capital funding
• Liquidity and financial resilience
• Prudent debt and funding management
• Sustainable asset management
• Consistency of financial management

During a six-week period of consultation from December 1, 2025 to January 13, 2026, Wodonga Council heard thoughts, ideas and priorities from community members and organisations for Council to consider in the development of the Draft Budget 2026-2027.

What did we ask and what did we hear?

We asked the community to provide thoughts and ideas to inform the development of the Draft Budget 2026-2027 and Draft Financial Plan 2026-2027 to 2035-2036. Submitters were also required to detail how their idea aligns with the existing Council Plan 2025 - 2029. Submitters were also offered the opportunity to present their proposal to councillors after the first consultation period closed.

The feedback received during the first stage of consultation is available in the attached Engagement Snapshot.

How did feedback received during stage 1 influence the development of the draft budget?

All feedback received has been considered by Wodonga Council in the development of the draft budget. This includes a number of presentations made in support of the submissions.