Darebin's Annual Budget 2019-20 adopted!
Consultation has concluded the 2019-20 budget was adopted.

Council's 2019-20 budget has been adopted!
Council has adopted the Annual Budget 2019-20 after community consultation and consideration of submissions made by the public. The budget was developed through an extensive community engagement process that included local people from every part of Darebin and outlines the financial resources we need to deliver the 100 services that we provide to the community. It also outlines proposed funding allocations for our capital works program and operating projects.
The budget strives to maintain a critical balance between costs, quality, and value to our ratepayers.
The budget proposes a rate increase of 2.5 percent. This is in line with the Victorian Government’s new Fair Go Rates System which has capped rates increases by Victorian councils to the forecast movement of 2.5 percent in the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
We are proud to present a budget that maintains our current service levels without the need to apply for an exemption to the rate cap. We have achieved this by working together to approach the budget with balance, fairness and operational efficiency in mind.
This budget is community focused and continues to achieve the goals and objectives of the Council Plan.
The Annual Budget presents a financially responsible budget that maintains all services and infrastructure from the previous year as well as delivering projects and services that are valued by our community.
Key highlights of the Annual Budget include:
- Continued progress to achieve the goals and objectives of the Council Plan
- Delivery of a large capital works program
- Delivery of high quality services and programs for the community
- Maintenance of our long term financial sustainability
- No borrowings
Sustainability initiatives include:
- Doubling solar power in Darebin
- Supporting Climate Emergency Darebin and the Darebin Nature Trust
- Dramatically improving walking and cycling infrastructure
- Continued implementation of the Climate Emergency Plan
- Investment in range of energy efficient initiatives
Community initiatives include:
- Ongoing provision of over 100 services to residents, businesses and community groups from the early years - maternal and child health and family services - through to retirement and seniors activities. Services also include waste collection, youth services, libraries, arts programs, festivals and more
- Preparation of a Community Engagement Strategy to support Councils deep commitment to increasing community participation in all of our decision making processes
- Ongoing support and advocacy to strengthen our diverse and multicultural community
- Ongoing review of our services to respond to changing community needs, significant population growth, financial challenges
Public infrastructure initiatives include:
- Ongoing works for a new multi-purpose stadium at John Cain Reserve to provide more sports opportunities for women and girls
- Planning for future improvements to the Northcote Aquatic and Recreation Centre and the Reservoir Leisure Centre
- A wide program of improvements and new works in our parks, open spaces, playgrounds and sporting facilities across the municipality
- Ongoing investment to ensure our critical assets and infrastructure are maintained including roads, footpaths and drains
- The ongoing provision of an outstanding performing arts and cultural programme
Strategy and planning initiatives include:
- A significant program of strategic initiatives aimed at setting out a long term, integrated plan for the future of the City and guiding land use, development, housing affordability, future community and physical infrastructure and transport requirements and opportunities for economic growth
- Finalisation of a new Open Space Strategy and the preparation of controls to ensure ongoing funding for open space to support our growing community.
- A new developer contributions levy for infrastructure to serve our growing community
- Continuing work on the Preston Urban Design Framework including updating the structure plan to ensure we have a clear plan to address growth and change in and around Preston
Background on Council's annual budget:
Every year Council is required by legislation to prepare an Annual Budget.
The Annual Budget contains a description of activities and initiatives to be funded in the budget and how it will contribute to achieving the strategic objectives in the Council Plan.
What are we doing?
We want to better align the budget to community needs and expectations. We have listened to the community around ideas they have and what matters most through a series of city-wide listening posts, community workshops and through this online platform.
The 2019/20 Proposed Budget for Darebin has been prepared in alignment with the Council Plan 2017-2021. It seeks to maintain and improve services and infrastructure as well as deliver projects and services that are valued by our community.
Some of the key highlights funded in the proposed budget include:
- Walking and Cycling: Safe travel projects and infrastructure to promote cycling and walking, and education for schools to increase the numbers of children and parents walking and cycling to school.
- Social Inclusion: A dedicated Aboriginal Maternal & Child Health Nurse, affordable housing program and implementing the recommendations of the Age Friendly Darebin review.
- Improving recreation facilities across the municipality: Including the multi-sports stadium, Northcote Aquatic and Recreation Centre, Reservoir Leisure Centre and upgrades to sports grounds and pavilions.
- Creative Industries: Growing the print and digital collection for library customers, creating a home for artists and cultural organisations at the Northcote Town Hall, and providing equipment for arts venues and community hubs.
- Level crossing removal opportunities: Engaging with the Level Crossing Removal Project, residents and traders in relation to the removal of the level crossing in Reservoir.
- Edwardes Lake Park Athletics Track: Design and construction, along with supporting infrastructure including a Changing Places public toilet facility.
- Road resurfacing program: This program uses recycled asphalt and addresses our commitment to responding to the climate emergency in a tangible way.
During the public display of the draft budget from 10 April to 9 May, we ran a series of 6 pop-ups across the city and 3 Council meet-and-greet sessions where there was an opportunity for the community to discuss the draft budget with council staff and Councillors.
What’s Next?
Thank you for your feedback and budget submissions! The 2019-20 budget has been adopted and the following documents are available in the document library:
- Adopted Budget 2019-2020
- Strategic Resource Plan 2019-2023
- Budget Highlights 2019 -2020
Goal 1. A Sustainable City
Goal: We will be leaders in creating a sustainable city through local innovation projects that address climate change.
Background: Australians are amongst the biggest polluters in the world. We must urgently reduce our greenhouse emissions.
Our challenge is to lead the way by creating a city fueled by renewable energy, with clean lungs made by green space and gardens, and where cycling is the preferred form of transport for local trips.
Goal 2. Opportunities to live well
Goal: We will improve the wellbeing of people in our community by providing opportunities for them to live their lives well.
Background: Darebin is set to grow by at least 40 000 people in the next fifteen years.
Our challenge is to maintain and extend our community’s opportunities to be healthy, participate, and connect with each other, as the population grows.
We make our opportunities accessible to all, including our most vulnerable.
Goal 3. A liveable city
Goal: We will ensure our planning system facilitates high-quality and sustainable development that extracts social, environmental and economic benefits for our community.
Background: Melbourne looks likely to grow to become Australia’s biggest city in the next 30 years.
Our challenge is to remain the best place in the city to live by improving it as Darebin grows.
We will work with the community and other governments to reach this goal.
Goal 4. A strong economy
Goal: We will support and attract a diversity of local businesses and industries by fostering an environment in which they can thrive.
Background: Our businesses contribute $5.8 billion annually to the local economy
Our challenge is to foster a diversity of business opportunities as the economy changes.
We will work with local business and regional partnerships to reach this goal.
Goal 5. Involving our diverse community
Goal: We will lead on equity and recognise our diverse community as our greatest asset for solving future challenges.
Background: We are one of the most diverse local government areas in Melbourne and residents believe diversity makes life in Darebin better.
Our challenge is to lead in the development of inclusion policies and practices, and ensure diverse voices are included in our decision-making.
Goal 6. A well governed Council
Goal: We will be a leading, modern, and open council to meet our challenges, now and in the future.
Background: A changing world requires smarter decisions and new approaches.
Our challenge is to transform our business to reduce costs and work better with others to get the best outcomes for our community.