Council is proposing a $211.0 million budget for 2026–27. This funding supports more than 100 services, major community projects and ongoing infrastructure investment across Bayside.

The Budget delivers year two of the Council Plan 2025–2029. It supports Council’s long‑term vision for Bayside and focuses on:

• Our People – a safe, inclusive and active community
• Our Place – valued open spaces, well‑planned neighbourhoods and sustainable growth
• Our Promise – transparent governance, strong financial management and excellent customer service

The capital works program funds major upgrades and renewals such as buildings, roads, drainage, parks, playgrounds and community facilities.

A total of $55.5 million is allocated to capital works, continuing Council’s multi‑year investment to renew and improve community infrastructure.

What are some of the key capital projects?

Key projects funded in 2026–27 include:

• Yalukit Willam Nature Reserve Gateway Building $3.0 million*
• Dendy Park athletics pavilion renewal $3.6 million
• Billilla Mansion essential civil and roof works $1.3 million
• Kindergarten conversion at Brighton Recreation Centre $0.9 million
• Hurlingham Park Sportsground reconstruction $1.5 million
• Urban Design and Placemaking Hampton Street Activity Centre $2.1 million
• Bay Street Activity Centre Upgrades $1 million
• Bayside Greek Festival $0.2 million

*Supported by funding from the Australian Government

The Budget includes $11.3 million for roads, drainage and footpaths, including upgrades, design and construction works. Additional funding is also provided for public toilet upgrades at Sandringham Foreshore, Black Rock Activity Centre and Middle Brighton Baths.

Council is investing $11.8 million in foreshore, parks and open space, including:

• Hurlingham Park sportsground reconstruction
• Pennydale Park playground upgrade
• LED sportsground lighting improvements

Council will invest $6.3 million in 2026–27 as part of a $16.3 million commitment over four years to strengthen Activity Centres. This includes:

• Activity Centre upgrades - $3.0 million
• Hampton Street urban design and placemaking – $2.1 million
• Bay Street Activity Centre upgrades – $1.0 million

Yes. Council will continue to expand its fully funded Home Care Package service. In 2026–27, Council will deliver $35.7 million in aged care services to Bayside and Glen Eira residents through Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) and aged care packages.

Council is proposing a 2.75% rate increase, in line with the Victorian Government’s rate cap. This equates to an average increase of $57.17 per ratepayer.

Rates fund essential services, infrastructure and the renewal of community assets. The increase helps Council respond to population growth, CPI increases and rising service costs, while maintaining financial sustainability.

Yes. The waste service charge is proposed to increase by 2.9%, in line with Council’s policy of recovering the direct costs of kerbside collection and recycling.

Following the finalisation of the Aquatics Strategy in 2025/26, Council will begin developing a fully funded business case in 2026/27.

Council has provisionally allocated $80.5 million in its long‑term financial plan for detailed design and construction. The final business case will confirm costs, funding sources (including rates, reserves, borrowings and grants) and the operating model.

All Councils develop a plan known as the Council Plan which sets out the strategic direction for each Council's 4-year term in office. The Council Plan is supported each year by an annual action plan, which details what we’re doing towards achieving our Council Plan goals over the next 12 months, and how we’ll measure our progress.

The Council Plan reflects the community’s priorities and aspirations through its development via deliberative engagement.

Bayside’s Council Plan 2025-29 was developed with a representative community panel, which was formed in early 2025. Panel members were independently selected to be broadly representative of the Bayside community, with a diverse mix of ages; geographic locations; residents vs businesses; gender; and other key demographic characteristics. Over twelve workshop sessions in February-May 2025, panel members were presented with relevant information, heard from experts, and had an opportunity to discuss and debate to contribute to the development of the new Council Plan 2025-29 and review the Financial Plan informing the Budget process.

The four-year plan was drafted with Councillors, based on their aspirations for the community and to further progress the Council Plan priorities. These priorities were informed by ongoing engagement and discussion with the community and the people they represent. This engagement included Future Plans report from surveys, pop-ups and consultation with the community and the 3 months with the Future Plans community panel. The Councillors accepted the majority of the community panel recommendations. Senior officers of Council also provide reports and intelligence on key opportunities that have emerged in the operating environment such as legislative changes, funding or partnership arrangements.

Council will review and finalise the Council Plan Year 2 Action Plan, following feedback from the community.

Council Plan actions are monitored monthly by the executive team and reported to Council and the community on a quarterly basis. Key strategic indicators are published as part of the Council Plan and are reported annually.

At least once in each financial year, Council must consider whether the current Council Plan requires any adjustment in respect of the remaining period of the Council Plan and renew the Annual Action Plan and adopt an Annual Budget for the following financial year.

You can provide feedback by completing the survey on Council’s Have Your Say site, via a written statement, or by post to Council during the consultation period. Council is expected to consider community feedback and adopt the budget and Council Plan Action Plan at its meeting on 16 June 2026.

Community consultation closes on 17 May 2026.