Council budget

Merri-bek 4-year Budget 2025-2029

The 4-year Budget 2025-2029 was adopted by Council on Monday 23 June.

The adopted budget reflects investment in what matters most, including libraries, safer streets, community infrastructure, tree planting, parks and open spaces – all while maintaining a responsible and sustainable financial position.

Council is continuing to invest in environmental sustainability, including tree planting, stormwater upgrades and providing grants to support low-income households to install insulation and solar panels at home, as well as many other initiatives and programs. We have continued and expanded the highly regarded outdoor help program for seniors as well as continuing other programs such as the homelessness assertive outreach program.

This year’s budget included inviting the community to suggest their ideas for the Community Budget Ideas initiative. This is the fourth year Council has run Community Budget Ideas, and it has continued to grow in popularity and ingenuity among the community. We have allocated $313,573 (higher than the $250,000 amount originally set aside) to 3 fantastic ideas suggested by community members, with more than 1,000 people voting for their favourites:

  • $160,000 for improvements to Gilpin Park’s dog-exercise area
  • $100,000 for ‘Lizards with Bikes’, a revitalisation of the Coburg Velodrome underpass
  • $53,573 towards youth-led initiatives to combat gender-based violence

Council has also funded the top-voted Community Budget Ideas project, Native understorey planting, for $300,000 over the next 4 years as a strategic priority.

 

Budget highlights

The 2025-26 budget includes a capital works program of $93.9 million to build new and improve existing community infrastructure and maintain community assets, such as:

  • $60 million for the new Coburg library and piazza - now in the planning and design phase, supporting the vision for a thriving activity centre
  • Continuing the $30.7 million upgrade works on several early years facilities over the next 5 years – including Dawson Street childcare, Hadfield early years centre and Brunswick Early Years Hub
  • $23.2 million for roads and carparks renewal and maintenance – improving safety and accessibility
  • $11.9 million on organised sports assets in 2025-26, including Allard Park redevelopment, lighting at Dunstan Reserve, McDonald Reserve hockey pitch and De Chene Reserve gender-inclusive changerooms
  • $16.4 million for improving parks, open space and streetscapes – investing in playgrounds, greener spaces and welcoming spaces for all ages

  • $9.1 million for delivering on footpaths, bike paths and transport infrastructure – improving safety and connectivity

Download the 2025-29 budget

Fees and Charges Report 2025-29

Previous years' budgets