We recently invited you to have a say on how the Annual Budget 2025/26 should be shaped through our interactive ‘Fund It’ slider tool.  

The engagement, which ran from 1 to 21 February, provided the opportunity to allocate ‘points’ across Council services and provide comments on their priorities.

We deliver a wide range of services across a huge shire, including libraries, emergency management, roads, waste and recycling, sports and recreation, environmental health and local laws. We appreciate everyone who took the time to share their thoughts on what is important to them.

What you told us:

• 976 contributions received
• 492 people provided comments  

Key themes

• A strong focus on maintaining and improving essential services, infrastructure and local facilities, with roads, footpaths and drainage ranking top.
• Support for responsible financial management while ensuring sustainability and resilience in the face of environmental challenges.
• Interest in balancing population growth with protecting the unique character of East Gippsland’s towns and communities.
• A desire to ensure that all residents have access to high quality services, facilities and opportunities to participate in community life.

High priority services

• Roads, footpaths and drainage  
• Parks and playgrounds  
• Aquatic and recreation centres  
• Community facilities  
• Emergency management  
• Waste services  
• Environmental management and sustainability

Next steps

This feedback will inform the development of the Council Plan 2025-29 which will the inform the budget allocation in the Draft Budget. Councillors are working through the feedback and verbatim comments provided.

The Draft Budget, Draft Council Plan 2025-29, Long Term Financial Plan, Asset Plan and Rating and Revenue Plan will be released in May for community feedback.

Council will look to formally adopt these key documents in June.

Thank you to everyone who participated and shared their views. Your input is an important part of shaping the services and infrastructure that support our community, balancing priorities and meeting community needs.