Each year we invite you - our residents, ratepayers, and businesses to get involved in your city and have a say!

Has our proposed Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget hit the mark?

The Draft Plan outlines major projects, ongoing services and initiatives, and a breakdown of where your rates go.

Feedback on the Draft Plan is due by 11:59 pm 16 May 2025.

Council will consider and discuss the feedback in late May.

The Plan will then be finalised late June 2025.

Every year we develop a new Annual Business Plan and update our Long-Term Financial Plan. These plans are developed taking into account Marion's strategic directions, Four Year Business Plan and feedback from community throughout the year.

The Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget 2025-2026 is now open for community feedback.

The Draft Plan shows how Council proposes to manage its annual $116 million budget to deliver quality services while managing and maintaining a large and diverse asset portfolio valued at over one billion dollars across the council area.

Additionally, Council proposes to invest $35m in capital works including community and sporting facilities, playgrounds, and capital work programs including stormwater upgrades, footpaths, and road upgrades. This total proposed spend is made up of $16.4m for the renewal of assets and $18.6m for new and upgraded assets.

In developing the Draft Annual Business Plan 2025-26 and Council's Long term Financial Plan we have been mindful of challenging market conditions with increasing construction costs and other factors such as wage rises. Significant work has gone into determining a responsible rate increase that balances community impact with the need to maintain service levels. Investment in key infrastructure, alongside the ongoing capital renewal program, has also been factored in to support the City’s long-term financial sustainability.

The Draft plan proposes a 4.8% average rate increase in 2025-2026 to support ongoing services and capital project delivery. For the average residential property, this equates to an estimated $91 per year, or about $1.75 per week.

Council is keeping rates as low as possible whilst delivering necessary projects that will deliver much-needed upgrades to community facilities and improve the environmental sustainability of our community.

Now is your opportunity to have your say and share your thoughts.

Community consultation closes on Friday 16 May at 11:59pm.