The budget for 2025-26 sees Council with a projected operating deficit of $3.43 million.

There are no planned borrowings for 2025-26, or over the next four years.

All fees and charges have been listed in the budget document for the community’s review.

Increases to fees and charges have been minimised where possible, but there are increases to reflect the current economic climate.

In 2025-26 average rate increases are 2.50% which is half a percent lower than the 3% rate cap set by the Victorian Government and estimated to save ratepayers $1.1 million dollars.

Rates and charges are essential to supporting the services and facilities we provide to the community.

The cost of services we deliver to the community during the 2025-26 financial year is budgeted to be $411.1 million, which is an increase of $14.5 million on the 2024-25 forecast.

The key influencing factors are the rapid growth of our community, the increased price of materials, external services and employee costs.

The four-year budget forecasts our service delivery costs will pass $425 million in 2026-27 and hit nearly $473 million by 2027-28.

In 2025-26 we will invest $210.88 million in our capital program and $764 million over the four-year period.

We are also working make use of state and federal government grant opportunities to help ease the burden on our own finances.

This charge does not sit within the rate cap.

The recycling and waste collection service charge is calculated to cover the rising costs of collection, recycling and landfill disposal. These include direct, indirect and overhead costs.

The charge for 2025-26 will increase from $473.25 to $509.55 (7.7 per cent).

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 Proposed 2025-26 to 2028-29 Budget, and Revenue and Rating Plan, and any other directly related purpose to the Proposed 2025-26 to 2028-29 Budget, and Revenue and Rating Plan

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.