Welcome

Introduction

As part of the new Council’s preparations of its first draft of the 2025-26 Budget, we are seeking insights from the Geelong Community.

We have been working with the community since July 2024 to help shape several plans to determine the allocation of our funds.

The following outlines our approach:

  • The Four-Year Council Plan sets our goals.
  • The Budget decides how much to spend each year to reach those goals.
  • The Rating & Revenue Plan identifies how to generate sufficient revenue.
  • The Long-Term Financial Plan makes sure there’s enough money in the future too.
  • The 30-Year Long-Term Vision looks far ahead to plan for big changes, like population growth, climate impacts, and major projects, making sure Greater Geelong stays strong and sustainable over time.

In addition to this, we assess our achievements to ensure we are addressing our community's requirements and fulfilling our Clever and Creative Vision for Greater Geelong.

The recent years of escalating costs, coupled with a cap on council's income from rates, calls for careful allocation of funds to meet community needs.

Ratepayers, residents, community groups, sporting clubs and local business are all welcome to contribute their ideas.

We invite you to share your thoughts on the priorities for the 2025-26 Council Budget. Please click the link below to provide your feedback.


Do you or your community group have a new project or initiative you're passionate about and would like Council to consider in the 2025-26 budget? Please click the Submissions button below and complete the submission form.

Submissions closed 11.59pm 14 March, 2025.


For your idea to be considered by Council, it should meet the following criteria:

  • Demonstrate a strong community benefit

  • Be deliverable between 2025-29

  • Relate to a council service, program or facility

  • Be deliverable on council land or buildings

PLEASE NOTE:

  • Projects that were previously submitted for consideration in last year's budget process, and did not progress, do not need to be resubmitted this year. These proposed projects are already included for consideration in the 2025-26 budget.
  • Please provide an overview of your initiative using the submission form. Detailed descriptions and commentary about your initiative are not required at this point.

Submissions

If your initiative meets the criteria above, please submit your idea using this form. A hard copy form is available upon request.

The personal information and feedback (collectively the Data) requested on this page is being collected by City of Greater Geelong (City) for the purpose of the Priorities for consideration in the 2025-26 Budget and any other directly related purpose (Project).

A de-identified engagement summary report may be published on our website.

If your personal information is not collected, the Project may not be able to be adequately conducted, and the City may not be able to contact you for further questions or to find solutions.

In order to collect and conduct in depth and detailed analysis of the Data for the purposes of the Project, the City will disclose the Data (including your personal information if provided) to its third-party service providers, including Social Pinpoint Pty Ltd, Converlens Pty Ltd and Amazon Web Services.

Other than as stated above, your personal information will not be disclosed to any external party without your consent, except as required or authorised by law.

Our privacy policy is available on our website. If you wish to alter any of the personal information you have supplied to the City, please contact us by sending an email to privacy@geelongcity.vic.gov.au.