Council budget

Merri-bek 4-year Budget 2026-2030

The 4-year Budget 2026-2030 was adopted by Council on Monday 22 June.

This year's total budget is $260.9 million and continues Council's focus on core services and infrastructure, while improving our services and innovating where possible.

Budget highlights

  • A capital works program in 2026-2027 of $89.1 million, to improve community infrastructure and maintain community assets
  • Commencing construction of the $12.5 million Brunswick Early Years Hub
  • Complete detailed design for the $60 million Coburg library and piazza, working towards construction commencing in mid-2028
  • $10.6 million for improvement to parks, open space and streetscapes 
  • $11.2 million for roads and carparks renewal and maintenance
  • $5.8 million for footpaths, bicycle paths and transport infrastructure

Community ideas included in the budget

The budget was influenced by ideas submitted during our community engagement in late 2025 and early 2026. In the first stage of engagement 40 projects and initiatives were submitted that met the criteria and made it through to stage 2.

In the second stage we ran a community voting program, including 6 pop-up sessions. A total of 410 people voted on their top three projects.

Council has allocated $400,000 towards 6 finalist initiatives that have been included in the proposed budget:

  • $60,000 - Additional tree plantation across the municipality
  • $80,000 - Cool playgrounds; safe kids - additional shade for our parks 
  • $145,000 - Building a risky playground alongside the playground upgrade at Harmony Park, Coburg
  • $5,000 - Providing free band programs for youth
  • $50,000 - Building five additional picnic tables at parks
  • $60,000 - Providing free rehearsal, art production and group space subsidies 

Download the 2026-2030 budget

Previous years' budgets