Council
3 July, 2026
Council backs tough budget
The Yarriambiack Shire Council unanimously endorsed its budget for the next fiscal year at its June meeting.
Households and businesses face substantial increases in waste services under a budget council describes as one of its most tightly constrained in years.
The 2026-27 budget increases residential and rural waste charges by 10 per cent, commercial waste service fees by 50 per cent and general rate revenue by 2.75 per cent.
The council noted that waste and recycling remain challenging due to the municipality's small population and large geographic area, which result in insufficient cost recovery.
A comprehensive long-term review of transfer station and waste management operations assessed related fees and charges.
The budget states that waste, recycling, and glass recycling charges apply to all improved properties, except for commercial and rural properties, where these services are available only upon request.
The council intends to raise $16,223,543 in rates and charges, including general rates ($12,967,029), municipal charge ($453,106), service charges ($2,302,926), and payments in lieu of rates ($500,481).
The municipal charge will increase from $86.60 to $88.98 per rateable assessment for the 2026-27 year.
Ratepayers can apply to the council for an exemption from the payment of a municipal charge on rateable land in accordance with Section 159(3) of the Local Government Act 1989.
Chief Financial Officer Anita McFarlane presented the budget to councillors on May 14 before it was released to the community for feedback.
At the June 24 meeting, it was noted that no submissions were received.
The budget was moved by Cr Chris Lehmann and seconded by Cr Kylie Zanker.
“It's never easy to structure a budget,” Cr Zanker said, “especially a challenging one.”
Extra funding proposal rejected
A motion for extra funding for Anzac Park was defeated 3-2.
Cr Zanker proposed allocating an additional $10,000 per year to Anzac Park Trustees for maintenance and administration of the Warracknabeal facility.
The motion also sought to reallocate operational budget funds to support this increase, recognising the park’s significance within the shire.
Cr Zanker noted that 13 formal user groups and many community members regularly use the facility.
“Anzac Park is known as a premier sporting precinct, and it's not just for Yarrimabiack, but indeed across the whole region.
“Events attract visitors from across not just the Wimmera region but the whole of Victoria, and that in turn generates social and economic benefits for Warracknabeal and the whole municipality.”
Cr Zanker explained that Anzac Park has funds in its account, but these are donations and bequests designated for the master plan’s redevelopment.
“It's earmarked as a co-contribution, and councillors, I know we're always looking for co-contributions,” she said.
Deputy mayor Corinne Heintze said historically, the funding for recreation reserves across the Yarriambiack Shire was “very ad hoc”.
“There was no methodology, and Anzac Park always got the lion's share,” Cr Heintze said
“In recent years, council staff have put in a lot of time to come up with a methodology to make the funding fairer for all rec reserves.
“To now give Anzac Park another $10,000 on top of their allocation may set a precedent.”
Cr Zanker and Cr Melinda Keel supported the motion, while Mayor Andrew McLean, Cr Chris Lehmann, and Cr Heintze opposed it.