FAQs

We consult on the draft budget before it's finalised so your input can genuinely shape priorities. We're not only seeking feedback on the 2026-27 budget, but also on priorities for future years.

We know we can't fund everything in year one. That's why we're developing a 10-year Capital Works Program, and understanding community priorities will help us plan ahead. 

The Council Plan sets our strategic direction for the four years of the current council term; it describes what we want to achieve. 

This budget engagement is about the "how" and "when", specifically, which capital projects should be prioritised in 2026-27. 

This is the question we get asked most, and it deserves a straight answer. Here's why your input genuinely matters:

1. While most of our capital program is committed to renewals, grants, and multi-year projects, we do have uncommitted capital funds for new discretionary investment. Your your input ensures we make the right decisions.
2. Even in committed areas (roads, footpaths, facility upgrades) we have choices about which specific projects come first when additional funding becomes available 
3. Your priorities feed into our 10-year Capital Works Plan and asset management strategies, not just next year's budget.
4. This engagement informs our Financial Sustainability Strategy, where we'll have deeper discussions about service levels, revenue, and investment capacity.

The Financial Sustainability Strategy is a separate engagement which will commence in 2026. It will look at the bigger question: how do we address the long-term gap between community expectations for infrastructure and services, and available funding?

Your budget feedback will help inform that bigger conversation by documenting what matters most to communities.

We'll publish a "What We Heard" summary in the new year, after we’ve analysed all the feedback. You'll then see how this shaped decisions when the draft budget is released for public exhibition in May 2026.