Hume City Council has released its proposed 2025/26 budget, which includes a 3% increase in general rates – the maximum allowed under the Victorian Government’s rate cap – and has started a period of public consultation.
It means rates bills will increase by an average of $50, rising from $1,675.68 to $1,725.95, although individual bills will vary depending on property valuations. Income generated from rates will total $273.3m.
Waste charges are also likely to rise, with the kerbside waste charge increasing to $414.97 for each household.
Residential households could also see a waste service charge of $229.67, with a discounted $179.67 charge for pensioners. Additional bin services – such as larger or extra garbage, recycling, and organics bins – will come with their own fees, ranging from around $77 to $295.
The council plans to spend $148.28m on capital works, including major projects such as:
- $7.64m for Jacksons Hill Arts and Cultural Precinct
- $4.7m for the Willowbrook Reserve pavilion expansion
- $3.2m to redevelop Sunbury’s Senior Citizens Centre (currently under construction)
- $31.78m on roads
- $7.27m on footpaths and cycleways
Council also included six community-submitted ideas in the proposed budget, including $150,000 for citywide graffiti removal and $80,000 to improve community security and prevent illegal dumping, and $10,000 toward a Sunbury Community Pantry.
The draft budget will be open for public feedback until 27 May on the council’s Participate Hume website.
Council will debate the proposed budget at its meeting on Monday 12 May, a public consultation period will follow, and a final decision will be made at a council meeting on Monday 23 June.
Council also predicts its surplus will drop from the current $146m to $86m in the next financial year year.
Hume City Council surplus:
In Victoria, the rate cap imposed by the state government applies to the average overall increase in a council’s total general rate revenue, not to individual ratepayers’ rates. This means:
- Council-wide, the total amount of general rates collected can only rise by a maximum of 3% (or whatever the annual cap is set at).
- Individual ratepayers, however, can see increases greater or less than 3%, depending on how their property’s value has changed relative to others in the municipality.
Why individual bills can vary:
Rates are calculated based on the capital improved value (CIV) of a property relative to the total value of all rateable properties in the council area. So if your property value increased more than average, your rate bill could increase by more than 3%. If it increased less than average, your rate bill might rise less than 3%, or even decrease.
Key points:
Councils can still adjust waste charges and other service fees, which are not subject to the rate cap.
Hume City Council Proposed Budget 2025/26 – at a Glance
The cap is on revenue, not individual bills.
Revaluations shift the distribution of who pays what.
Rates and Charges
- Rate Increase: 3% (in line with State Government cap)
- Average Rates Bill: Up by $50.27 to $1,725.95
- Commercial/Industrial Waste Rate: 0.0334518 cents per $CIV (subject to Valuer General confirmation).
- Waste Charges:
- Kerbside Waste: $414.97
- Public Waste – Residential: $229.67
- Public Waste – Pensioners: $179.67
Fees and Charges
- General increase of 2–3%
- Some fees remain regulated by State law
Capital Works Investment
- Total Capital Works Budget: $148.28 million
- Key Projects:
- $7.64m – Jacksons Hill Arts & Cultural Precinct
- $4.7m – Willowbrook Reserve Pavilion Upgrade
- $3.2m – Sunbury Senior Citizens Centre Redevelopment
- $8.5m – Local Roads Resurfacing
- $3.29m – Hume Hockey Centre Pitch Construction
- $3m – Open Space and Play Space Enhancements
Community Engagement
- 108 ideas submitted via community consultation – Six supported:
- Sunbury Community Pantry: $10,000
- Graffiti removal: $150,000
- Safety net upgrades at Willowbrook Reserve: $5,000
- Speed bumps at Fairways Boulevard and Rhyolite Drive, Craigieburn: $100,000
- Illegal dumping prevention: $80,000
- Shelter improvements at SPRINT, Craigieburn: $17,000
Financial Summary
- Total Income: $567.09 million
- Operating surplus: $85.99 million
- Rates & charges revenue: $273.34 million
- No new borrowings proposed
Support for Residents
- Pensioner Rebate: Additional $50 from council
- Primary Producer Rebate: 30% for eligible landowners
