Ararat Rural City Council 2024/2025 Budget was adopted by Council on 25 June 2024.

During May 2024 a series of community engagement sessions were held in Tatyoon, Lake Bolac, Elmhurst, Willaura, Pomonal, Moyston and Ararat.

The 2024/25 Budget continues to reflect Council’s commitment to support service delivery, economic development and responsible delivery of community and transport infrastructure during a period of volatile markets in the construction sector.

Council's 2024/25 Budget represents a continuation of Council’s financially responsible approach that has been in place taken over the past six budget cycles. The headlines of the 2024/2025 Budget continue to be returning an efficiency dividend to the community through a net zero percent rate rise and an ongoing commitment to renewing the community’s assets through a $15,513,000 investment in capital works.

Key elements of Council’s 2024/2025 Budget are:

Capital Works Program:

• $6.25 million – Mount William Road reconstruction

• $1.8 million Gravel Road Re-sheeting

• $1 million – Road Reseals

• $750,000 – Urban Drainage

• $700,000 – Urban Road and Laneway Sealing

• $500,000 - Community Infrastructure

• $400,000 - Foot and Bike Paths 

• $239,000 - Kerb and Channel Works

New or significant projects:

• $1.46 million – Reconstruct sections of Webb Street and Churchill Avenue in Ararat

• $200,000 - Ararat Library

• $100,000 – Resident attraction program

• $100,000 – Programs for young people 

• $100,000 – Façade Grants

• $80,000  – Contribution to a $330,000 project to redevelop the Tatyoon Sports Oval.

• $80,000 – Workforce Pilot