FAQs

The budget process involves a council setting its priorities, identifying measures and allocating funds that will show how the key strategic objectives outlined in the Council Plan are to be achieved in the coming year.

Through the budget process, a council also specifies the annual maintenance, upgrade and renewal needs of its assets and any new or replacement infrastructure, as well as the community services and facilities it will provide in the next financial year, and how much these will cost.

A council budget also estimates the revenue to be collected from other sources such as fees and charges, State and Federal Government funding, and from loans. By using these estimates, council can determine the amount it needs to collect in rates to meet its financial commitments for the coming year, which must not exceed the State Government’s rate cap.

• Each council adopts a draft budget, which is advertised and open to public comment for a minimum of 28 days.
• All councils must adopt their budget by 30th June each year (or another date fixed by the Minister and published in the Government Gazette).
• Each council must submit a copy of their budget to the Minister within 28 days after adopting their budget.