UPDATE: The consultation has now concluded

Council prepared and consulted on an alternate Draft Budget without a waste service charge, following a first round of consultation that attracted over 1000 submissions for Council to consider.

The alternate Draft Budget still funds vital Council services and infrastructure improvements as well as our significant community grants program for 2017-18. Consultation ran from 13 June to 11 July 2017.

Speak to your submission

Anyone who made a written submission will have the opportunity to speak in support of it (or have someone else speak on their behalf) at a Council Meeting to be held at 6.30 pm on Wednesday 19 July at Richmond Town Hall.

Final adoption

Council is expected to adopt a Draft Budget, LTFS and Draft Council Plan – with or without changes – at an Ordinary Council Meeting at 7pm on Tuesday 1 August at Richmond Town Hall.

ORIGINAL POST: Yarra Council is encouraging our community to provide feedback on an alternate Draft Budget 2017-18 and Draft Long Term Financial Strategy (LTFS) until Tuesday 11 July.

We recently consulted the community on a previous version of the Draft Budget, which included a waste service charge. The charge proposed to introduce an additional charge for the weekly bin collection. However, after listening to community feedback and considering more than 1000 submissions, Council decided to prepare an alternate Draft Budget, without a waste service charge, for community consultation.

The alternate Draft Budget still funds vital Council services and infrastructure improvements as well as our significant community grants program for 2017-18.

We're seeking your feedback until 5pm on Tuesday 11 July.

View the alternate Draft Budget and FAQs

View the alternate Draft Budget, frequently asked questions and have your say online.

Information session

Learn more about what is being proposed and ask questions of Yarra's Mayor, CEO and senior staff at our upcoming information session:

When: Wednesday 5 July, 6pm-7pm
Where: Collingwood Town Hall (140 Hoddle Street, Abbotsford)

Ask us a question online

Do you have a question about the alternate Draft Budget 2017-18 or Draft Long Term Financial Strategy?

Post your question on our Your Say Yarra website and we'll provide a response as soon as possible.

Highlights of the alternate Draft Budget 2017-18

• $173m total operating expenditure budget
• $30m for capital works (infrastructure) projects and other new initiatives
• $2m for community grants
• 2% increase in general rates (in line with the State Government’s rate cap)
• 2% increase in the rate rebate for pensioners.

The alternate Draft Budget continues to support vital services as well new initiatives in 2017/18, including:

• $500,000 to extend the separated bike lane in Wellington Street, Collingwood
• $450,000 for a new park at the corner of Charles and Mollison streets in Abbotsford
• $240,000 to improve the Victoria Street streetscape in Richmond
• $102,000 for a marker honouring members of the Stolen Generations
• $100,000 to support the Cubbies Adventure Playground.

Make a submission

Online: yoursayyarra.com.au
Email: [email protected]
Post: Yarra City Council, Your Say Yarra Consultation, PO Box 168, Richmond VIC 3121

Submissions must be received by no later than 5pm on Tuesday 11 July. 

Frequently Asked Questions

View some frequently asked questions about the Draft Budget process.