Macca and Kenny talk to Cr Alex Makin Mayor, City of Port Phillip Port Phillip’s 2026–27 Budget: investing in neighbourhoods while balancing rising costs
The City of Port Phillip has adopted its 2026–27 Budget, promising continued investment in parks, streets, libraries, community facilities and services while navigating the financial pressures facing councils across Victoria. Mayor Alex Makin joins us to discuss the budget and the priorities shaping the year ahead.
The City of Port Phillip includes St Kilda, South Melbourne, Port Melbourne, Balaclava and Elwood. It is also home to the Victorian Pride Centre, JOY Media and many LGBTQIA+ organisations, making inclusion and community wellbeing important considerations in council planning.
The 2026/27 Budget is the second of Council’s 4-year plan for Port Phillip, which includes a “significant capital works program to maintain, grow and improve services and facilities – despite rising costs and continuing high inflation, on-going rate capping challenges and government cost-shifting.”
Council says “Due to financial pressures such as rising costs significantly outstripping rates growth and the continuing uncertain economic climate, additional revenue is needed to supplement rates income. This includes a general 3 per cent increase in fees and charges, unless it makes sense to vary.”
Makin claims the budget will embed $2.4 million in efficiency savings.
Budget 2026/27 includes an average rate rise of 2.75 per cent in line with the Victorian Government’s rate cap, which Council says is lower than forecast inflation of 4.9 per cent. The budget is debt-free apart from existing leases which are part of the financing strategy.
The default waste charge will rise $47.70 to $278, with $25.20 of this reflecting the inclusion of dumped rubbish and public litter bins (which have been removed from general rates). The other $22.50 has been driven by the renewal of the waste collection contract, a six per cent increase in the Victorian Government’s landfill levy and inflation driving up waste expenditure.
A planned $123.1 million in capital works and initiatives include:
- $26 million on parks, open space and streetscapes, including $530,000 towards the Sandridge Recreation Precinct in Fishermans Bend and new open space in Lakeside ($450,000)
- fencing for the off-leash dog park at Fennell Reserve in Port Melbourne ($440,000) and planning for further off-leash dog parks in Fishermans Bend
- footpath constructions in Fishermans Bend to improve walkability and sustainable transport
- further planning and development for places and precincts including precinct planning for Balaclava, Ripponlea and Lakeside/Domain areas with streetscape and open space works, additional greening at Acland Street Plaza, and place planning for Bay Street ($360,000)
- $20 million investment in essential infrastructure including road renewals and upgrades ($3.6 million) and footpath renewals and expansion ($1.6 million)
- drainage, flood and water management ($1.6 million) including Water Urban Sensitive Design
- building improvements totalling $50 million for projects such as the South Melbourne Town Hall restoration and redevelopment of six Children’s Centres ($8.3 million).
These items were included after the draft Budget was released:
- $70,000 for the National Theatre to unlock an additional $50,000 in funding from other sources to support the façade restoration and restroom upgrade
- $60,000 for the St Kilda Police and Citizens Youth Club’s youth program
- Up to $15,000 to trial expanding our Accessible Beaches program to operate year-round in 2026/27 at Port Melbourne Beach and a report on the cost and further work that may be required to extend the program to South Melbourne and Sandridge Beaches.
Council will also continue funding for:
- addressing loneliness and isolation and promoting social connection
- combatting discrimination, racism and antisemitism
- additional funding for Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design ($75,000)
- more local laws patrols and $450,000 for additional public place CCTV
- greater investment in local arts and events (funded through a reprioritisation of St Kilda Festival funds).
Targeted support includes:
- Continuing the council-funded pensioner rates rebate up to $242, or a maximum of 50 per cent, when combined with the Victorian Government rebate.
- There’s continued funding to support both affordable housing and local organisations assisting vulnerable members of our diverse community. This includes up to $60,000 to support local food security responses, with a focus on strengthening food coordination and improved integration between local food relief providers.
The post Sat, July 25th, 2026: Cr Alex Makin Mayor, City of Port Phillip Port Phillip’s 2026–27 Budget: investing in neighbourhoods while balancing rising costs appeared first on Saturday Magazine.
