Consultation occurred throughout October and November last year. It followed the announcement that the City of Ballarat was changing its budget engagement processes in which there would be a singular round of consultation ahead of the 2024/25 budget development process instead of the previous two rounds of consultation — one prior to the development of the budget and one following its development.

The comprehensive, earlier engagement period was designed to improve upon past engagement processes to ensure Council is better informed of residents’ priorities within the context of the Council Plan 2021-2025 prior to beginning the development of the annual budget. The new budget engagement process will also allow Council officers to present the budget to Councillors at the May Council Meeting — a month earlier than previous years.

The feedback that was received from the community was presented to Councillors in December 2023 and Council officers are now working through the process of developing a budget for Council to review and consider, including preparation of business cases relating to feedback received.

A review of the City of Ballarat’s 2023/24 year to date financial performance has been undertaken during January and will be presented at the 28 February Council meeting. This financial performance review ensures the Council’s financial position is consistent with the objectives set out in the 2023/24 budget and long-term financial sustainability objectives, and will lay the foundation for the 2024/25 budget.

The budget will be reviewed and workshopped by Councillors during March and April and is scheduled to be considered for adoption at the May Council meeting.

In order to prepare a balanced budget, we need to ensure it can fund the core services and strategic objectives contained in the Council Plan, along with any additional initiatives.

This will require Council to consider such variables as borrowings, cost efficiencies and the level of revenue we are able to raise, given the Minister for Local Government has set the rate cap for the 2024/25 financial year at 2.75 percent.

For more information about the preparation of the Annual Budget, visit the Budget page on the City of Ballarat website.