The Annual Business Plan, Budget and Long Term Financial Plan 2026/27 sets out the actions that Council will deliver for the financial year, including existing services and new or enhanced services, aligned to Mitcham 2030.
The 2026/27 Annual Business Plan, Budget and Long Term Financial Plan:
On behalf of the City of Mitcham, I’m pleased to present the 2026-2027 Annual Business Plan, Budget and Long-Term Financial Plan.
In designing the budget it is always difficult to balance the needs of the community with the capacity to pay, but this year, the task has been even more challenging as both Council and our residents are affected by high inflation.
Rates are set to increase by an average of 6.38 per cent which equates to an average increase of $151 per household. Most of this rise results from the increased cost of delivering our services, however we have heard from the community that they are keen to see additional services that help increase safety, reduce cost of living and react to climate change.
This year’s budget includes a commitment to extend library opening hours to open earlier on weekdays and close later on Fridays, responding to strong community support for more open and accessible community spaces.
We’re supporting safer and more accessible community sport by opening up public access to tennis courts at Reade Park Reserve and Nieass Reserve, alongside upgrades at Batchelor Reserve and targeted traffic management measures in Cumberland Park, Daw Park and Colonel Light Gardens (West).
The budget continues Council’s work in environment and sustainability, including community energy programs to help reduce household energy costs, taking further action on climate risks and implementing water sensitive urban design measures.
By changing the way we manage free green waste drop-off days residents will now be able to access additional free days throughout the year which will help with bushfire preparedness. We will continue to help residents plant more greenery on verges to cool our streets, and welcome a new electric community bus.
The budget also includes a commitment to continue works to upgrade the stormwater network to reduce the risk of flooding.
Thank you to everyone who contributed as part of the budget process. Your feedback is invaluable in helping shape the future of our city.
Financial overview in 2026/27
- $94.9 million Operating Expenditure
- $93.2 million Operating Income
- $35.2 million Capital Expenditure
- $1.4 million Operating Surplus (excluding subsidiaries and one-off items)
Council priorities in 2026/27
Council will deliver a number of new or enhanced services and projects in addition to its existing services. These include:
- Affordable Household Energy
- Dedicated Long-Term Financial Planning Software
- Increasing Library Operating Hours
- Local Area Traffic Management – Cumberland Park, Daw Park and Colonel Light Gardens (West)
- Provision for Minor New Capital Requests in Open Spaces
- Responding to Climate Risks
- Upgrading the Stormwater Network to Reduce Flooding
- Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) Implementation
Council will also deliver a number of one-off initiatives and programs (called operating projects). These include:
- 2026 Community Christmas Lunch
- Additional Bushfire Preparedness - Fire Track Improvements
- Affordable Household Energy
- Godden Reserve to Delwood Reserve Concept Plan
- Placemaking Theme Focus Areas
- Rental Funding for the Blackwood Environment Centre