This year might not yet be over, but Maribyrnong council is already beginning the process of formulating next financial year’s budget.
Community consultation on the 2026-2027 council budget is now open, with Maribyrnong residents invited to nominate the items, services and initiatives they want funded.
The Maribyrnong council budget allocates funding to 58 different services and manages 60,000 community assets, including buildings, roads, parks, pools and playgrounds, worth more than $1.5 billion.
Council’s 2024-25 budget included $661,000 for arts and culture grants and $255,000 for local community grants, along with funding 25,000 shrubs, ground covers and trees to be planted, 349km of local roads to be maintained, 4,300m² of new footpaths to be constructed and more than 54,600 customer service requests to be addressed.
Maribyrnong mayor Pradeep Tiwari said residents didn’t have to address all budget items during community consultation, but could instead provide feedback on items that were important to them.
“Even sharing the one or two things that matter most to you will help make this budget preparation process more specific to community needs,” Cr Tiwari said.
A draft budget will then be prepared and opened for public feedback before the final version is put before council for adoption in mid-2026.
Feedback closes on 14 December and can be offered online or shared through a flyer with a tearaway voting slip that will arrive in mailboxes soon.
Provide feedback at: yourcityyourvoice.com.au/budget
