Mitchell Shire Council’s 10-year Financial Plan is open for community discussion.
Having been endorsed by councillors to be released for community engagement during the council meeting the day prior, the draft plan was made available to the public for consultation on Tuesday, June 17.
Engagement is being undertaken through council’s social media platforms, the Engaging Mitchell website and listening tours, and will be conducted until Thursday, July 17.
Over the next two financial years, the draft plan has allocated expenditure for a number of capital works programs in Seymour and surrounding areas.
2025-26 financial year
In the 2025-26 financial year, $50,000 of council funding has been allocated to the design phase of the Chittick Park, Seymour band hall amenities improvements and public toilet access project.
Year two of construction of the Seymour Community Wellbeing Hub will be funded by $2,012,000 in borrowings and $1,500,000 in external grant funding.
Seven infrastructure projects in and around the Seymour area have been allocated funds, including speed zone changes and a raised priority crossing on Pollard St, with a total of $1,973,000 allocated.
A total $1,093,000 of this figure is from grant funding, $820,000 is from borrowings, and $60,000 is set to be funded with council cash.
Council has committed $200,000 of its cash to the Chittick Oval lighting project, and is seeking $200,000 in external funding to complete the upgrades.
And $166,000 of grant funding has been allocated to the Seymour fenced dog off-lead park.
Mitchell Shire Council total expenditure 2025-26
Total capital works expenditure: $37,730,000
- Grant-funded: $14,089,000
- Unconfirmed external funding: $2,382,000
- Sales: $608,000
- Council cash: $11,221,000
- Reserves: $2,585,000
- Borrowings: $6,845,000
2026-27 financial year
The $10,500,000 required for the third year of construction of the Seymour Community Wellbeing Hub is set to be grant-funded.
The Seymour Sports and Aquatic Centre heat pump installation project, a stage in transitioning the site towards an all-electric facility, has been allocated $515,000 in the 2026-27 financial year, $257,000 of which is proposed to come from council cash, while the source of $258,000 is yet to be confirmed.
The design of intersection safety upgrades at Seymour-Pyalong Rd and Broadford-Glenaroua Rd will be funded by $145,000 of council cash.
The design of the Kings Park back oval renewal, including lighting upgrades, will also be funded by council cash, with $26,000 allocated.
Last on the list for Seymour in the 2026-27 financial year is $97,000 of council cash for the installation of a third township gateway sign on the Goulburn Valley Hwy (from Yea) and the addressing of priority gaps identified in an audit of the Seymour signage.
Mitchell Shire Council total expenditure 2026-27
Total capital works expenditure: $87,618,000
- Grant-funded: $19,731,000
- Unconfirmed external funding: $6,822,000
- Sales: $867,000
- Council cash: $13,027,000
- Reserves: $41,491,000
- Borrowings: $5,680,000
The draft 2025-26-2034-35 Financial Plan is set to be adopted by council on Monday, August 18.
There are a number of other capital works projects allocated that are planned to take place from the 2027-28 to the 2034-35 financial years.
At the recent council meeting, Cr Nathan Clark said the plan, which is refreshed each year, provides a forward-thinking view of the shire.
“This draft will be good for the community to consider,” he said.
“This is one of the items that lets us look down the road and see where we’re heading.”
Submissions to the council on the 10-year plan can be made on the Engaging Mitchell website at https://tinyurl.com/d96m649u
Listening tours are also being held throughout the shire, with the next stop to be at the Broadford Hall on Wednesday, July 2 from 6pm, and then at the Tallarook Market on Sunday, July 6 from 9am.
The 2025-26-2034-35 Financial Plan document can be accessed at https://tinyurl.com/45xd2cfe