The ambitious agenda delivered by this budget will be funded by a rate increase of 2.75% which is accordance with the Victorian Government’s rate cap.

The waste service charge incorporating kerbside collection and recycling will increase 0.1%.

A rate increase is needed to:

• fund ongoing service delivery (balanced with greater service demands)
• fund renewal of infrastructure and community assets
• cope with growth in the population of Bayside residents (10.3% in the last 10 years)
• cope with cost shifting from the State Government

The decision to increase rates is not taken lightly however this revenue is essential for Council’s continued investment in community infrastructure and to provide services for our community.

Council rates and charges also fund a range of critical community services including:

• maternal and child health
• aged and disability care
• waste and recycling services
• public health inspections.

Any ratepayers who are facing financial hardship can contact our Revenue Services Team to discuss their payment options.

Any ratepayers who are facing financial hardship can contact our Revenue Services Team to discuss their payment options.

The Annual Budget 2024/25 includes the following new initiatives:

• Biodiversity Action Plan
• Billilla Activation
• Coastal and Marine Management Plan
• Review of Bayside Open Space Strategy
• Domestic Animal Management Plan
• Integrated Strategic Plans deliberative engagement

Below is a list of significant deferrals to the capital works program (includes only projects deferred beyond year 4 of the original program):

• Tjilatjirrin Reserve southern carpark rehabilitation: Previously had a budget of $0.6 million to be spent across 2024/25, 2025/26 and 2026/27. Now proposed to have the same budget and not to be funded until 2028/29, 2029/30 and 2030/31.
• Tulip Street baseball pavilion redevelopment: Previously had a budget of $3.5 million to be spent across 2026/27 and 2027/28. Now proposed to have the same budget and not to be funded until 2028/29 and 2029/30.
• Sandringham Athletics Centre – pavilion redevelopment: Previously had a budget of $5.2 million to be spent across 2026/27 and 2027/28. Now proposed to have the same budget and not to be funded until 2028/29 and 2029/30.
• Moorabbin West Oval sports pavilion redevelopment: Previously had a budget of $5.2 million to be spent across 2025/26 and 2026/27. Now proposed to have the same budget and not to be funded until 2027/28, 2028/29 and 2029/30.
• Beaumaris Concourse permanent shelter: Previously had a budget of $0.735 million to be spent in 2027/28. Now proposed to have the same budget and not to be funded until 2028/29.
• Early Years Strategy implementation: Previously had a budget of $6.0 million to be spent across 2026/27 and 2027/28. Now proposed to have the same budget and not to be funded until 2029/30 and 2030/31.
• Thomas Street Hampton reconstruction: Previously had a budget of $5.5 million to be spent across 2024/25 and 2025/26. Now proposed to have the same budget and not to be funded until 2028/29 and 2029/30.
• Green Point tram shelter refurbishment: Previously had a budget of $0.34 million to be spent in 2024/25. Now proposed to have the same budget and not to be funded until 2028/29.

The Annual Budget 2024-25 is informed by community priorities articulated in the Bayside 2050 Community Vision and Council Plan 2021-2025. It funds the delivery of projects and programs that Council has committed to deliver, and more than 100 different services to our community.

The proposed Annual Budget 2024/25 was endorsed by Council on 23 April 2024 and community consultation opened the following day (9am, 24 April 2024). Consultation is scheduled to close on 14 May 2024 to allow time for feedback to be collated and considered, and amendments made to the proposed Budget, if required. You can provide your feedback via a survey or written statement, or by post to Council during the consultation period.

Following the close of community engagement on 14 May 2024, community and stakeholder feedback will be considered and amendments made to the proposed Budget, if required

The opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed Budget will be widely communicated to the community throughout the consultation period via the Council website and Have Your Say engagement website, as well as digital advertising to reach community members who do not subscribe to Council communications channels. Find out more about how we’re engaging with the community on the budget.

Council will consider a report on community engagement on the Budget on 4 June 2024 and adopting a proposed Annual Budget 2024-25 at its meeting on 18 June 2024. The agenda for this meeting will be available to view here when published.

Interested community members will also have an opportunity to request to be heard at the Council meeting on 18 June 2024 and speak to Council at the meeting or provide a written statement which will be published in the meeting agenda.

Under the Local Government Act 2020, Council must adopt an annual budget by the 30 June 2024.

The surplus represents the residual funds from all revenue sources after funding operating services. The proposed 2024-25 budget surplus is forecast to be higher than average due to capital grants and contributions.

The underlying operating surplus is consistent with Council’s long-term average and is required to fund the capital program.

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