Late last year we asked you to share your ideas for our 2019/20 budget.

Your feedback helped us create a draft budget that supports the services and facilities that our growing community needs.

It delivers on our long-term vision to become smarter and more sustainable through our use of innovative technologies.

Our new wireless network will allow us to track Council assets in real time, telling us (for example) when a public bin needs to be emptied or a street light needs to be changed.

Our Climate Emergency Plan will empower every member of the Yarra community to reduce their carbon emissions.

This year's budget also supports our trailblazing recycling trial, which is expanding to include a separate glass collection.

We're embracing a smart city approach to provide a more targeted, timely and cost-effective service for the community.

The draft budget also continues to foster a strong and sustainable financial position for the city.

We now invite you to visit our Your Say Yarra budget page.

There you can view our draft budget and tell us what you think. 

You may also wish to view our Easy to Read Guide to the Draft Budget which explains many of the budget concepts in plain English. 

Submissions must be received by 5pm on Friday 17 May.

Council's Strategic Resource Plan and Long Term Financial Strategy are also available for comment.

Budget at a glance

• $188.9m total operating expenditure
• $31.3m for capital works projects and other new initiatives
• $2.1m for community grants
• 2.5% increase in general rate revenue (in line with the State Government rate cap)
• 2.5% increase in Yarra's additional rate rebate for pensioners (now $187.10)

Budget highlights

• $2.4m for upgrades to facilities at Ryans Reserve and Kevin Bartlett Reserve, Richmond
• $1.4m for traffic and safety initiatives in Abbotsford, Richmond and North Fitzroy
• $1m for trees throughout Yarra (a $200,000 increase on last year)
• $900,000+ on bicycle infrastructure across Yarra, including completing separated bicycle lane in Wellington Street, Collingwood
• $560,000 to improve streetscapes in Swan Street and Bridge Road, Richmond
• $485,000 for improving storage and designing enhancements to boating facilities in Fairfield Park, Fairfield
• $70,000 to redevelop the Carlton Library Courtyard
• $60,000 to make Council Meetings more accessible via livestreaming

Budget conversations with the Mayor

Find out more about the budget and ask questions at a session with the Mayor, Cr Danae Bosler.

Where: Fitzroy Town Hall, 201 Napier Street, Fitzroy
When: Monday 6 May
Session times: 3pm to 4pm OR 6pm to 7pm

Speak to your submission

A Special Council Meeting will take place at Richmond Town Hall, 333 Bridge Road, Richmond, on Tuesday 4 June 2019 at 7pm.  

The purpose of the meeting is to hear submissions on the Draft Budget 2019/20. 

You can speak at this meeting (or have someone else speak on your behalf) if you lodge a written submission prior to the deadline and state your intention to speak.

Final adoption

Council is expected to adopt the draft budget – with or without changes - at an Ordinary Council Meeting at 7pm on Tuesday 25 June at Richmond Town Hall.