2025-26 Draft Budget and Fees and Charges currently on exhibition
Published on 19 May 2025
Colac Otway Shire Council’s 2025-26 Draft Budget and proposed Fees and Charges are currently on public exhibition with the community invited to provide feedback.
Ratepayers are invited to share their views and ideas on what they would like Council to prioritise in the 2025-26 Budget with community feedback received considered in the development process.
“Councillors and officers worked collaboratively through operating budgets, fees and charges, projects and capital works and community feedback at several budget workshop sessions,” Cr Schram said.
The 2025-20 Draft Budget includes a 3 per cent rate increase in line with the State Government’s Fair Go Rates System.
“We know that delivering essential services and providing fit-for-purpose infrastructure will continue to be our focus, and Councillors and officers have worked to balance this with household affordability,” Cr Schram said.
“A proposed key investment in this budget is improving functionality and safety at Colac Regional Saleyards.
“Agriculture plays a significant role in the region and Council is committed to supporting our rural industry with investment into the saleyards to encourage a strong and resilient farming economy.”
Cr Schram said consideration was also given to key themes from feedback in consultation from other recent important masterplans, including the Colac Botanic Gardens Masterplan.
“One of the key aspects of the community feedback included considerable interest in holding more events at the Botanic Gardens, such as concerts and events.
“Council are seeking to explore an upgrade to the power supply to Lake Colac foreshore to help facilitate more events in that space,” Cr Schram said.
“This Budget also aims to continue to invest in maintaining Colac Otway’s local road network, which supports our economies and communities every day.
“Council is proposing reconstruction of three streets in Apollo Bay as well as the investment in the unsealed road network.
“Investment in roads will be able to grow in coming years as the Federal Government support through Roads to Recovery funding progressively increases,” Cr Schram said.
Key Projects in the 2025-2026 budget include:
- Colac Regional Saleyards (renewal of administration building, installing of new forcing yards at existing loading ramps, extension of the truck turning area for the loading of animals)
- Strategic investment in footpath connections
- Apollo Bay Visitor Centre renewal project
- Red Rock Reserve Stairs Renewal
- Eastern Reserve Lighting Renewal
The 2025-26 Draft Budget and Draft Fees and Charges are now on exhibition with the community invited to provide feedback in writing.
The draft documents are open for a total of for five weeks (closing 5pm Thursday 5 June 2025). In your feedback, please indicate if you wish to speak to your submission at an upcoming Submissions Committee meeting on Tuesday 10 June at 3pm at COPACC.