Every four years Council also updates its Revenue and Rating Plan. This plan establishes the revenue raising framework to determine the most appropriate and affordable revenue and rating approach to adequately finance the objectives in the Council Plan.

Rates are the most significant revenue source for Council, estimated to make up over 80 per cent income in 2025-26. Benchmarking indicates that revenue generated in non-rate income is generally well below other similar Councils.

The average general rate increase in 2025-26 is 3 per cent in line with the rate cap. Due to the revaluation process, rate increases vary across differential rating categories and individual properties.

The average general rate increase for residential properties in Hobsons Bay will be 2.25 per cent. The average increase for all properties is 3.0 per cent, which is consistent with the rate cap set by the Victorian Government.

The Annual Budget 2025-26 is based on an operational surplus of $8.353 million, which will be directed towards our $55.848 million Capital Works Program.

The 2025-26 Capital Works Program includes:

• Roads ($21.918 million), drains ($3.090 million), footpaths and cycleways ($1.750 million)

• Recreation and open space ($9.638 million), including parks, open space and streetscapes, bridges, off-street carparks, recreational, leisure and community facilities, and other infrastructure.

• Buildings ($11.776 million), including sporting and recreational facilities ($6.218 million), the building renewal program ($3.825 million), heritage buildings ($734,000), community centres ($731,000), and environmental sustainability initiatives ($268,000).

• Plant and equipment ($6.540 million), including scheduled replacement of Council’s vehicle and plant fleets ($4.35 million), information technology ($1.17 million), and library resources ($1 million).

• Waste management ($1.136 million).

The Capital Works Program includes major projects that will benefit our community, including:

• Street Lighting LED Upgrade Program: Work will begin to replace all existing streetlights across the municipality with brighter, more energy-efficient LED luminaires.

• Altona Beach Entry and Esplanade, Redevelopment. Delivery of final works along the Esplanade including new seating, shade structures and new walkways to complete this major project.

• Hudsons Road Rehabilitation and Streetscape, Spotswood. Completion of detailed design work for the Hudsons Road Rehabilitation and Streetscape Upgrade project between Melbourne Road and Forest Street.

• Altona Hockey Club, Sports Pavilion major upgrade. Completion of new Sports Pavillion to improve change room infrastructure for both male and female use.

• Kororoit Creek Trail in Altona and Altona North. Finalisation of design elements and commencing tender process to allow for construction to commence in following financial year.

• Williamstown Swim and Lifesaving Club Redevelopment, Williamstown. Finalisation of the detailed design for the Williamstown Swimming and Life Saving Club redevelopment and obtain both Marine and Coastal Authority approval and town planning approval.

• The Zone Community Park Development, Altona North. Completion of works on The Zone community park within Paisley Park, Altona North and open for use by the public.

• Wetlands Centre Early Work, Altona Meadows (carried forward). Completion of early works component within the current budget including landscaping and gathering spaces in accordance with current budget parameters.

• McCormack Park Upgrade, Laverton. Implementation of Stage 2 McCormack Park upgrade work and open to the public for use.

• Maddox Road Traffic Improvements, Newport. Undertake construction for road safety improvements along Maddox Road, including new roundabout, traffic calming and enhanced facilities for pedestrians and cyclists.

• Tree Planting Urban Forest Strategy. Planting of an additional 5,000 trees over the coming financial year in line with the current Urban Forest Strategy for Council.

As well as building and maintaining infrastructure for our community, Council delivers more than 100 services across Hobsons Bay. These services are vital to ensuring all members of our community can access support services and participate equitably, feel safe and connected, and enjoy good health and social wellbeing.

Some of the service areas funded in the 2025-26 Budget include:

• Community Learning and Service Centres ($8.542 million), which manages the Council+ service centres, library branches and community centres.

• Community Support ($2.297 million), which includes support and activities for older residents, younger people with disabilities, and carers.

• Community Child Health ($4.270 million), which delivers a universal primary health (maternal and child health) and immunisation service available to all Hobsons Bay families with children from birth to school age.

• Community Development ($2.693 million), which provides grants to Hobsons Bay community organisations, generates key community projects, and builds internal and external capacity to deliver inclusive and responsive services that meet the needs of diverse and disadvantaged communities.

• Youth Services ($1.879 million), which supports local young people with a range of social activities, leadership development, and mental health and support services.

• Early Years ($1.535 million), which provides access to affordable and high-quality children’s services, as well as support, mentoring, management, and advocacy for local early years’ service providers.

• Arts and culture ($975,000), which provides visual arts, public art, cultural development, heritage, Indigenous culture, cultural collections, festivals and events and arts spaces.

In 2025-26, Council will continue to advocate to other levels of government for the funding needed to help us deliver an ongoing high standard of services and infrastructure. We will also continue to seek support for major projects that will bring economic, environmental, and social benefits to our city.

Some of our key advocacy priorities include:

• Funding for safer roads, particularly through the Black Spot Program, to address identified high-risk intersections and road sections within the municipality.

• Additional state government resources to support the upkeep of state-owned roads and spaces within the municipality.

• Increased investment from both state and federal governments in transport infrastructure, including roads, cycling paths, and public transport.

• The reinstatement of Paisley Station in Altona North to support our growing community and improve transport accessibility in the region.

• State and federal government support for the Hobsons Bay Affordable Housing Trust, including land allocation and funding for new projects.

• Seeking our community’s fair share of state and federal government investment in youth mental health services to address the growing mental health crisis faced by young people aged 12-25 in Hobsons Bay and the inner west of Melbourne.

• The establishment of a Wetlands Centre in Altona Meadows to preserve and celebrate its unique natural heritage and provide educational opportunities.

• State and federal government investment in waste management, recycling infrastructure, and circular economy initiatives.