Rates will increase on average by three per cent in Maribyrnong over the next financial year after council formally adopted its 2025-2026 annual budget on Tuesday night.
The increase, the maximum allowed under the state government’s fair go rates system, applies to council’s total rate revenue rather than individual properties and will be used to fund major projects, infrastructure renewal and services.
The $145 million budget has an underlying surplus of $12.4 million and allocates just under $64 million towards capital works and asset improvements, funded by $31 million in rates revenue and $16.7 million from a major projects reserve.
Of this roughly a quarter ($21.6 million) will go towards five major projects: moving Maribyrnong Aquatic Centre off gas ($3.5 million) and continuing the Splash Park project ($8.8 million); demolition of RecWest Footscray and the upgrade of Shorten Reserve ($2.57 million); a new pavilion at Hansen Reserve ($5 million) and detailed designs for the Creative West arts centre project in Footscray ($1 million).
The budget will also invest about $15.5 million in traffic management and road maintenance and repairs after more than 60 per cent or residents nominated it as their top issue in last year’s annual community survey.
Just under $10 million will go to road rehabilitation projects, including upgrades along Summerhill Road in West Footscray and Mitchell Street in Maribyrnong, as well as designing the next phase of upgrades at the Joseph Road precinct in Footscray.
Just under $9 million is allocated for parks and gardens, almost $6 million for streetscape improvements, $4.3 million for community centres and libraries and $2 million for sustainable initiatives, emissions reduction and the environment.
Cycling infrastructure, footpaths and tree plantings will receive $1 million each.
The council received 45 submissions during community consultation on the budget.
After community submissions, the council added in $20,000 for Maribyrnong River and Waterways Association to expand community outreach and strengthen strategic alignment, while there will be an increase of $10,000 to annual allocation of funds to five neighbourhood houses.
