There are two ways to share your thoughts via Moira Matters. The Have Your Say form is a quick way to tell us what you think about the draft budget. If you have a more detailed idea or proposal you'd like Council to formally consider, use the Make a Submission form - you'll also have the option to speak to your submission at a hearing on Tuesday 2 June.

Council staff are coming to the four major towns to talk with you about the Draft Annual Budget 2026/27. These sessions are a relaxed, informal opportunity to hear what's proposed, share your ideas and ask questions. No registration required - just come along.

Meet with Council staff at the following locations:

• Yarrawonga Shire Hall – 20 May 2026, 9AM – 10AM
• Cobram Civic Centre – 20 May 2026, 1PM – 2PM
• Nathalia Sports Stadium - 26 May 2026, 1:30PM – 2:30PM
• Numurkah Community Learning Centre - 26 May 2026, 3PM – 4PM

We’d love to hear your thoughts and work together to shape a budget that reflects our community’s needs.

Can't make it to a drop-in session? Join us online instead. We're hosting online sessions on Tuesday 19 May between 5pm–6pm, where you can hear about the draft budget and share your thoughts. You will be allocated a time slot with Council staff upon registration. Complete the form below and a Microsoft Teams link will be sent to you. Registrations essential.

Have a question that isn't covered here? We're happy to help. Email us at info@moira.vic.gov.au or call (03) 5871 9222, Monday to Friday, 8:30am–5pm.

If you'd prefer a hard copy of the survey form or need assistance using this platform, visit one of our Customer Service Centres:

Cobram Service Centre
Address: 44 Station Street, Cobram
Office Open: Monday to Friday 9am - 4:30pm

Yarrawonga Service Centre
Address: 100 Belmore Street, Yarrawonga
Office Open: Monday to Friday 9am - 4:30pm (closed daily between 12-1pm)

Yes, but only in line with the State Government's Fair Go Rates cap of 2.75%.

The Victorian Government's Fair Go Rates System (FGRS) limits how much councils can increase general rates and municipal charges each year. For 2026/27, the cap has been set at 2.75%, and Council's budget complies with this limit.

The municipal charge itself remains unchanged at $390 per property and the general rates component is increasing by 2.75%.

In practical terms, the average general rate plus municipal charge per rateable property will increase from approximately $1,922 to $1,982 — an increase of around $60 per year, or roughly $1.15 per week.

Note: Your individual rate increase may differ from the average depending on the Capital Improved Value (CIV) of your property and any changes in land valuations applied by the Valuer-General Victoria. Individual outcomes will not be known until the 2026/27 Annual Valuation, Rates and Charges Notices are issued.

Yes. Kerbside collection and environmental service charges are increasing, primarily due to rising fuel costs and the increased cost of waste disposal.

The following changes are proposed to apply from 1 July 2026:

*The 240L bin is available only to eligible properties with 6 or more occupants or properties with two or more children in nappies.

Why are charges going up?

• Fuel costs: Ongoing geopolitical instability in the Middle East has pushed up global oil prices. Council's waste contractor costs are directly linked to diesel fuel prices, which are assumed to average $2.50/litre for the first three quarters of the year.
• Organic waste disposal fees: External disposal costs for the FOGO (food and organic waste) service have increased by 12% over the financial year, contributing to the larger 16.5% increase in that charge.
• Cost recovery: Council is required by the State Government's Good Practice Guidelines to ensure service charges recover the actual cost of delivering services — no more, no less. These charges reflect genuine cost increases being passed through from service providers.

Please note that from 2026/27, the previous single "Kerbside Recyclables Collection" charge has been split into two separate charges — one for recycling and one for glass — to improve transparency and allow better tracking of bin volumes.

1. Multisport Stadium construction — A major new community facility that will serve generations of residents across the Shire.
2. Library, Events and Performance Precinct completion — Completion of Stage 2 of this important cultural and community hub in the town centre.
3. Botts Road upgrades — Including road sealing and culvert works at the Murray Valley Highway intersection to improve safety and connectivity.
4. JC Lowe Oval Precinct improvements — Pedestrian access enhancements and renewal works to this key sporting and community facility.
5. Yarrawonga West flood protection designs — Detailed engineering designs for a drainage solution to better protect the community from flooding ($160K), along with commencement of beautification works on Belmore Street.

1. Thompsons Beach Precinct Plan — Development of a detailed precinct plan to unlock the tourism and recreational potential of the Thompsons Beach area on the Murray River.
2. Cobram East Levee detailed designs —Design of a flood levee to protect the east side of Cobram from future flood events.
3. Cobram South Drainage strategy designs — Detailed design of drainage assets from the Cobram South Drainage Strategy to address stormwater issues in the south of the town.
4. Cobram Structure Plan — A strategic land use plan to guide future commercial and employment growth and development across the town.
5. Karook Street infrastructure upgrade designs — Detailed designs for an essential infrastructure upgrade to address road, drainage and footpath needs.

1. Numurkah Flood Levee Stage 2 detailed designs — Engineering designs for the next stage of the town's flood protection levee, a significant community safety investment.
2. Melville Street road safety improvements — Targeted road safety upgrades on one of Numurkah's key streets.
3. Lake Numurkah Masterplan — Development of a community masterplan for Lake Numurkah, exploring future recreational, environmental and amenity opportunities.
4. Road resheeting and restoration — Numurkah will benefit from Council's municipality-wide road restoration program, addressing ageing road surfaces across the broader road network.
5. Township Placemaking Process — Numurkah is one of four major towns included in Council's new Placemaking Process, engaging residents and businesses to reimagine the town's future character, services and public spaces.

1. Pearce Street pedestrian pathway improvements — Completion of improved pedestrian pathways to enhance safety and amenity for residents and visitors.
2. Gifford Street infrastructure upgrade designs — Detailed designs for essential infrastructure upgrades to road, drainage and footpath assets in Gifford Street.
3. Barmah Floodplain Management Strategy — Development of a strategy to manage flood risk across the Barmah floodplain, which directly affects the Nathalia area.
4. Road resheeting and restoration — Nathalia will benefit from Council's municipality-wide $10.3 million road restoration program, targeting ageing sealed road surfaces.
5. Township Placemaking Process — Nathalia is one of four major towns included in Council's new Placemaking Process, engaging residents and businesses to reimagine the town's future character, services and public spaces.

Council's total operating budget is $88.82 million in revenue against $82.3 million in operating expenditure.

The capital works program is budgeted to total $33.15 million.

Revenue comes from three main sources:

The budget forecasts an overall surplus of $6.52 million, with the underlying result — which strips out one-off grants and capital income — forecast to be approximately breakeven ($7,000 surplus). This is an important measure of financial sustainability, indicating Council can cover its day-to-day operational costs from its own revenue.

Council is investing $11.29 million in road safety upgrades, restoration, resheeting and resealing works across the Shire's road network — the largest expenditure item by asset class in the capital program.

In addition to capital expenditure, $9.14 million will be spent on road maintenance.

The total 2026/27 capital works program is $33.15 million, focused on:

• Asset renewal (replacing ageing infrastructure): $16.46 million
• New assets (new community facilities and infrastructure): $12.82 million
• Upgrades (improving existing assets): $3.73 million
• Expansion: $150,000

Council acknowledges that this budget is being delivered at a time of real cost-of-living pressure. The following measures reflect this commitment:

• General rates are capped at the State Government's Fair Go Rates limit of 2.75% — the minimum increase permissible under Council's Financial Plan.
• The municipal charge remains unchanged at $390 per property.
• Concessions and hardship assistance remain available for eligible ratepayers experiencing financial difficulty. Residents are encouraged to contact Council to discuss their circumstances.
• Council is working towards achieving a financially sustainable underlying result by 2028/29, which will reduce reliance on borrowings and protect future ratepayers.

The Draft 2026/27 Annual Budget is on public exhibition and Council welcomes feedback from the community.

• Provide written feedback to Council before the close of the public consultation period using Council’s Community engagement platform Moira Matters (www.moiramatters.com.au/budget-202627)
• Attend an online session on 19 May between 5pm–6pm, where you can hear about the draft budget and share your thoughts.
• Participate in a public submission hearing if you wish to speak to your submission in person on 2 June 2026.
• Participate in a public submission hearing if you wish to speak to your submission in person on 2 June 2026.
• Attend a Community Drop-in session at the following locations:
  
  • Yarrawonga Shire Hall – 20 May 2026, 9AM – 10AM
  • Cobram Civic Centre – 20 May 2026, 1PM – 2PM
  • Nathalia Sports Stadium - 26 May 2026, 1:30PM – 2:30PM
  • Numurkah Community Learning Centre - 26 May 2026, 3PM – 4PM
• Contact Council's Customer Service team or visit moira.vic.gov.au for more information on how to participate.