Budget 2025/26
Quick Tasks
This budget has been prepared with our community front-of-mind, following early and comprehensive engagement that took place in late 2024, and into 2025. It is the first budget to deliver on the newly adopted Council Plan 2025-2029 and Community Vision 2025-2035.
The City of Ballarat Budget 2025/26 was adopted at the 25 June Council Meeting. The City of Ballarat is required under Section 94 of the Local Government Act 2020 to prepare a budget for each financial year and subsequent 3 financial years.
Budget highlights
Addressing the cost of living
This year’s budget is committed to helping ease the financial pressure on the community through initiatives that include:
- Zero per cent average rate increase
- Rebates available for ratepayers who are single pensioner households or hold a health care card
- Free entry to Black Hill and Buninyong outdoor pools during the summer season
- Free hire of Ballarat Town Hall rooms to community groups, for non-commercial purposes
- Additional library opening hours and programs - this includes extended weekend and evening hours.
Investments to support a vibrant, thriving and growing community
- $98 million investment in core services and infrastructure upgrades that deliver the greatest benefits to the community
- Waste and recycling services to include FOGO and glass recycling from November 2025.