FAQs

Key infrastructure projects

The key infrastructure projects included in the Proposed 2025-26 Budget are:

• Completing the IMPACT Route with Highton Lane and Rifle Butts Road works being finalised, including the construction of a new roundabout at the intersection with Monkey Gully Road.
• Progressing the Mansfield Heritage Museum, working with the Mansfield Historical Society and other project partners including Taungurung Land and Waters Council on the exhibit design and fit-out of the new building and other station precinct projects.
• Construction of a new roundabout at the black spot intersection of Dead Horse Lane and the Mansfield-Whitfield Road, which is a state government road that is managed by VicRoads, with a targeted full completion by the end of the year.
• Commencement of the construction of the Lords Reserve Pavilion and amenities upgrades at Lords Reserve and at the Mansfield Sporting Complex changerooms so that all users of these important sporting and recreational spaces can benefit. 
• Design and construction of a new bridge on Greenvale Lane for pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians and more funding for bridges and culverts to address longstanding issues. 
• Upgrade of the access road at the Mansfield Resource and Recovery Centre, improving the experience for all users who access this important service.
• Installation of solar panels and batteries at the Mansfield Sporting Complex and other key locations as part of our Climate Action Plan.

Road upgrades and renewals

Road resealing is planned on priority sections of the following roads:

• Alpine Ridge Drive
• Curia Street
• Early Street
• Highett Street
• Barak Court, Bonnie Doon

Gravel resheeting is planned on priority sections of the following roads:

• Banksia Street
• Kidstone Parade
• Aldous Road
• Cambatong Road
• Desmonds Road
• Dry Creek Road
• Long Lane
• Merton-Strathbogie Road
• Sonnberg Drive
• Spring Creek Road
• Woolshed Road

Other new initiatives

In addition to the planned delivery of services, Council will invest in new service initiatives to support our growing community including:

• Continue the successful “Spring Clean Up” event for green waste in advance of the declared Fire Danger Period with the acceptance of green waste at the Resource Recovery Centre, free of charge and the provision of a Tip Voucher for green waste disposal, available for collection through the Customer Service Centre. 
• Expand and review the festive season waste management provision of additional bins and service to high traffic areas and continue to work with outlying community groups including the Goughs Bay Area Progress Association to reduce camper waste deposited in public areas and illegal dumping.
• Continue the implementation of the Waste Strategy with promotion for an increased take up of the FOGO (green bin) service in urban areas and outlying townships. Investigate Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) collection through public bins.
• Continue to work collaboratively and actively with local community members and neighbouring shires to target and reduce European Wasp populations in the municipality.  
• Continue to progress Lakins Road Industrial Precinct, through the completion of an options and feasibility assessment for the balance of industrial land at 141 Lakins Road, to maximise value for ratepayers, following settlement of contracted land sale of Lot 1.  
• Host bi-annual speed-dating workshops for stakeholders and landowners to facilitate and deliver new housing and development opportunities.
• Complete the development of the Infrastructure Plan to respond to residential growth and facilitate development infrastructure planning to be funded through developer contributions. 
• Continue to progress the Collaborative Digital Transformation Project including support for backfill of key organisational resources during the introduction of new core systems.
• Deliver improved in-house maintenance and development of Council’s internet and intranet platforms with the appointment of a new Communications Digital Officer. 
• Continue to improve efficiency by digitisation of Council records and implementation of new systems for finance, payroll and customer request management (CRMS). 
• Adoption of a new 10 Year Financial Plan through a deliberative engagement process.
• Development and adoption of the new Council Plan through a deliberative engagement process.
• Advocacy to State Government on improvements required to the local arterial road network to address community concern over road safety and condition issues. 
• Continued collaboration with Hume Regional Local Government Network and advocacy to State Government for the formation of planning policy that retains the rural character of our townships.

In our first round of engagement from 1 December to 31 January, we received 117 ideas from community members. We've been able to incorporate over 70% of these in the Proposed 2025-26 Budget. Some of the highlights:

• Working with the newly-formed Aquatic Facilities Working Group on designs for a year-round aquatic centre. We're also proposing a financial commitment towards a roof over the existing learner pool and splash play area at the Mansfield Swimming Centre, making it more likely we can get grant funding.
• A shared path from Howqua Inlet to the Howqua Valley Holiday Park in collaboration with the Howqua Inlet and Macs Cove Community Group.
• A gravel footpath along Maintongoon Road, Bonnie Doon.
• The first stage of a gravel footpath from Jamieson to Jamieson Brewery in collaboration with the Jamieson Community Group.
• Footpath repairs at Lords Oval as part of the grant funded Lords Reserve projects.
• Sealing a 1km section of Walshs Road.
• Replacing the roof at Mansfield Tennis Association.
• Supporting the Mansfield Readers & Writers Festival, Mansfield Open Studio Trail and other arts groups with the formation of a new arts forum.
• Air conditioning at the Mansfield Performing Arts Centre foyer.

The Proposed 2025-26 Budget includes a 2.75% rate increase, which is lower than the State Government Rate Cap of 3.00%.

The change to your rates may be more or less than 2.75% depending on the type of property and its capital improved value.

In this budget, we're proposing to increase rates for vacant properties as outlined in our Revenue and Rating Plan. This does not apply to farmland.

Rates are calculated using the Capital Improved Value of your property, and a number called the "rate in the dollar".

As part of the budget process, Council determines the overall rates revenue needed, within the rate cap set by the State Government. This is divided by the combined value of rateable properties in our Shire to determine the rate in the dollar.

To calculate your individual property rates, the capital improved value of your property is multiplied by the rate in the dollar.

This gives the general rate applying to your property. Any arrears or charges such as kerbside bin charges are added afterwards.

More detail on how your rates are calculated and used is provided in a flyer that you'll receive together with your first rates notice. You can read last year's flyer here.

Council’s waste charges are proposed to reduce even further in 2025-26 despite increasing EPA levies.

For households not receiving a green bin, the average waste charge will reduce by 6.1% to $453.96. For households with a green bin, the average household waste charge will reduce by 4.5% to $555.96.

Thanks to our community's efforts in carefully sorting their waste and recycling, we have been able to renegotiate a lower price for waste management. We're pleased to propose the following charges from 1 July 2025: