Mornington Peninsula Shire has adopted its 2026/27 Budget after responding to community feedback by reducing proposed waste charges, increasing investment in roads and delaying parts of its waste rollout.
Councillors endorsed the revised budget at Monday night’s meeting, the first chaired by newly elected Mayor Cr Stephen Batty since his election as Mayor. The budget will guide the Shire’s spending priorities over the next 12 months and follows a four-week public consultation that prompted several changes to the draft document.
Community Feedback Shapes Final Budget
Hundreds of residents took part in the consultation, with cost of living pressures, waste charges and road maintenance emerging as the community’s key concerns.
Mayor Cr Stephen Batty said the feedback played a significant role in shaping the final budget.
“Over four weeks, hundreds of community members shared their views on the draft Budget, and we’ve listened,” Cr Batty said.
One of the biggest changes reduces the annual waste charge for properties with a kerbside collection from the draft proposal of $570 to $507.
Council will borrow funds to help deliver the Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) rollout, spreading part of the cost over future years instead of charging ratepayers the full amount upfront. The Shire has also deferred replacing coloured household bin lids, further reducing the immediate cost of introducing the new waste service.
Cr Batty said the changes reflected Council’s commitment to listening to residents while maintaining responsible financial management.
Roads Receive Funding Boost
Road maintenance emerged as one of the community’s highest priorities during consultation, with many residents calling for greater investment in ageing roads and drainage infrastructure across the municipality.
The adopted budget includes a 24 per cent increase in funding for roads and drainage as part of a $46.8 million capital works program. Planned projects include road reconstruction, drainage upgrades, footpath renewals and improvements to community facilities throughout the Mornington Peninsula.
“This is a clear message from our community. We know roads matter, and we’re investing accordingly,” Cr Batty said.
Balancing Cost Of Living Pressures
The budget retains the Victorian Government’s 2.75 per cent rate cap, with the average residential rates bill expected to reach $1,773 in 2026/27.
Council said 79 per cent of respondents supported maintaining the rate cap rather than introducing a rates freeze or rebate that could reduce services.
Cr Batty said the adopted budget sought to strike a balance between responding to community concerns and ensuring the Shire remained financially sustainable.
“We’ve taken a balanced, responsible approach to deliver essential services and infrastructure without overextending our finances. This Budget reflects the priorities our community told us matter most, while ensuring we remain financially sustainable into the future,” he said.
Looking Ahead
While the Shire revised several aspects of the budget following consultation, some decisions are likely to remain under scrutiny, including the long-term cost of borrowing to fund the FOGO rollout and the decision to retain the public cleaning charge.
The adopted budget and Council Plan are now in effect and will shape Council’s spending, infrastructure projects and service delivery across the Mornington Peninsula during the 2026/27 financial year.
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