Wellington's 2026/27 Draft Budget - Have Your Say

Wellington Shire Council manages large amounts of assets and services, helping with things like parks, libraries, and local businesses. Effective planning and reporting by council is essential for ensuring transparency and accountability to the community and other levels of government as to how public money is being spent and the quality of services delivered.

The budget document allows our community to know what to expect from Council for the financial year. It lists our expected income from rates, fees and charges, and potential grants. The Draft Budget lists our major expenses from daily operational expenses and human resources to major capital works and road improvements.

If you are a part of a community group looking for financial support don't forget to visit our grants page to find open grant opportunities such as when our Community Assistance Grants or Quick Response Grants are open.

We value your input on matters that are important to you. By collecting feedback from the community on the 2026/27 Draft Budget, we can ensure that our resource allocation is aligned with community priorities.


How to get involved?
  • Complete the online form to have your say and/or provide your formal submission by writing into the form or providing a file upload.
  • If you prefer to submit via hardcopy, please address your submission to the Chief Executive Officer at Wellington Shire Council, 18 Desailly Street (PO BOX 506), Sale VIC 3850, clearly marked as "DRAFT BUDGET SUBMISSION".
  • You can also have your say in person:
    • Provide a written submission to customer service at either 156 Grant St, Yarram VIC 3971, or 18 Desailly St, Sale VIC 3850.
    • Drop by your local library branch to write a submission; staff will collect submissions until the closing date.
    • Attend a Special Council Meeting on Tuesday 26 May 2026, starting at 5.00 pm at the Council Chambers, Port of Sale (Wellington Centre), 70 Foster Street, Sale.

To ask a question about the Draft Budget you can email enquiries@wellington.vic.gov.au or phone customer service to speak to our finance team.

Survey closes Sunday 10 May 2026

The 2026/27 draft budget will fund actions that work towards achieving the Council Plan 2025-29. Developed in partnership with our community, the Council Plan 2025-29 is one of the most important pieces of work for the next four-year term. It reflects the aspirations shared with us and is built around four key strategic objectives:

  • Healthy Connected Communities - Vibrant, healthy, connected and inclusive communities. Quality services are accessible to everyone.
  • Dynamic and Diverse Economy - An economy that enables sustainable growth, enhancing the social environment, lifestyle and unique characteristics of our communities.
  • Infrastructure, Spaces and Places - Strategically planned, designed and well-maintained infrastructure, spaces and places.
  • Natural Environment - A healthy natural environment, protected and nurtured for generations to come.

To learn more about our Strategic Directions visit Future Wellington to explore the Strategic Objectives.

The rates and charges on your rates notice are the costs you pay to Council to help fund local services and infrastructure.

Rates are budgeted to increase by 2.75% as set by the Victorian Government's Fair Go Rates System

  • Garbage Charge - With the introduction of the three-bin system (Including FOGO) the garbage charge is budgeted to increase from $295.00 to $338.00
  • FOGO (Food Organics Garden Organics) - The new FOGO (green lidded bin) service makes it easier to reduce waste and recycle food and garden materials. This will:
    • Reduce landfill waste by around 3,000 tonnes per year
    • Lower greenhouse gas emissions
    • Turn organic waste into compost and soil products
  • Waste Infrastructure Charge - The Waste Infrastructure Charge is collected to ensure the future infrastructure needs for waste management are funded and planned for. This is budgeted to increase from $70.00 to $90.00 per assessment.
  • EPA Waste Levy Charge - The EPA levy is a Victorian Government charge applied to every tonne of waste sent to landfill. Council is legally required to pay the levy when disposing of household rubbish, it appears on your rates notice because it is a direct cost of providing waste services and is passed on as part of your waste charge.
    Council does not keep this money - all levy revenue goes to the State Government to support environmental protection, recycling programs and efforts to reduce landfill and illegal dumping.
    The EPA Waste Levy Charge is budgeted to decrease from $26.40 to $23.00

Have Your Say

Complete a survey submission to provide feedback on the Draft 2026/27 Budget