MURWEH Shire Council has upped general rates by a “modest” five per cent in adopting a $60 million budget for the next 12 months.
According to Mayor Zoro Radnedge, the 2026-27 budget continues investment in infrastructure and services whilst minimising financial pain for locals.
“This budget reflects a Council that is being careful with ratepayers’ money without stepping back from its responsibility to invest in the future of Murweh Shire,” he says before flying to Melbourne as part of a special delegation to Federal Cabinet in relation to natural disaster funding arrangements.
A $26.7 million capital works program is the centrepiece of Council’s budget, which was adopted at a special meeting in Charleville this morning.
Key projects are Council’s plant replacement program, costing more than $2.5 million and an upgrade for Wills Street, costing $1.5 million.
Other allocations include more than $620,000 for upgrades to rural roads and a similar figure for the next phase of Augathella’s new sewerage system.
However, the biggest chunk of funding, almost $11.5 million, will go towards Council’s pet project – Stage 2 of the Aurora Estate.
The budget also reflects Council’s desire to build up its cash reserves, working towards a target of six months of operating cash in reserve.
Cr Radnedge says this will allow Council to absorb a shock — such as another spike in fuel, a natural disaster or something else unforeseen.
“It (the budget) keeps rate increase modest, it keeps borrowings at bay, and it keeps the projects that matter to our communities…from sewerage upgrades to road resealing to the next stage of Aurora Estate — moving forward,” he says before facing Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his Cabinet colleagues.
Council is continuing to offer a 10% discount on rates and charges levied excluding interest, fire levy and excess water charges.
Pensioner remissions have been held at $400 per annum.
POSTED: Monday, July 21, 2026