Bass Coast Shire Council has adopted its 2025–26 Annual Budget, reaffirming its commitment to delivering high-quality services and infrastructure across the Shire while maintaining financial discipline within the State Government’s 3 per cent rate cap.

The $123.2 million Budget outlines a $31.5 million capital works program, supports major strategic projects, and provides new borrowings to fund vital infrastructure.

Despite rising costs and a lower-than-expected increase in rates revenue, the Budget projects a modest operating deficit of $1.5 million, returning to surplus in 2026–27 and maintaining a balanced cash position for 2025–26.

Budget highlights include:

• $3.5 million for the Inverloch to Wonthaggi Trail
  
• $3 million for Cowes Streetscape improvements
  
• $2 million for Bass Recreation Reserve Netball Pavilion
  
• $1.9 million for Wonthaggi Netball Pavilion
  
• $650,000 for Urban Roads and Drainage Improvement (URDI)
  
• $440,000 for Phillip Island Sporting Precinct
  
• $400,000 for climate change actions, supporting Council’s Climate Change Action Plan
  
• $330,000 for accessible beach access at Cowes

The 2023/24 Annual Budget was adopted at the Council Meeting held on Wednesday 18 June 2025.

The Revenue and Rating Plan 2025, also adopted at this Council Meeting, maintains a farm rate differential of 80% and supports the rural community through the Rural Land Management Program, returning around $675,000 to support responsible land management.

Every council collects rates from residents and businesses in its municipality to help fund local infrastructure and services.
Bass Coast Shire Council uses the independently assessed property values as the basis for distributing the rates and charges across the municipality.

The graphic shows the breakdown of how every $100 of rates is allocated across council services and assets.