FAQs

The Proposed Budget 2023/24 shows how we will finance priorities and strategic objectives as outlined under the four-year Council Plan 2021-25.

The Budget includes funding for the environment, waste and recycling collections, parks, roads and infrastructure upgrades, the running of our libraries and leisure centres, support for local businesses and services that support our youngest residents, our older residents and those who may be vulnerable.

We’re currently working to finalise the Proposed Budget 2023/24 after hearing the priorities from over 500 residents that emerged following an extensive two-month consultation campaign held last year.

The Council Plan 2021-25 is the strategic document that will guide the delivery of our services over the duration of the Plan. It outlines the goals of Council, and the actions needed to achieve these key outcomes. It links the Council Plan mission and vision to key priorities and actions for Whitehorse.

The Local Government Act 2020 has changed how we engage with our community on the development of key strategic documents such as our Annual Budget.  In the past we have encouraged the public to share their views on the Draft Budget – this time, we have asked the community to help shape our Budget before the draft stage.

During September and October 2022, Council undertook an extensive community engagement campaign looking at Council’s new budget and updated Council Plan. This involved various methods of engagement (i.e. vox pops, online survey, prioritising workshop) to gauge the community’s ideas and priorities much earlier to give Council more time to consider building them into next year’s budget.

The outcome of this resulted in 530 projects and/or priority actions being identified for consideration in the 2023/24 Budget.

Both the Proposed Budget 2023/24 and Draft Council Plan will be on public display for the community to view from Wednesday 10 May to Wednesday 24 May 2023.

During this exhibition period, we’re inviting members of the public to attend one of two information sessions to be held at:

• Box Hill Town Hall (session 1) on 17 May
• Wills Room, Nunawading (session 2) on 18 May

These information sessions are an opportunity for the community to share their thoughts on the outcomes of our pre-budget consultation and what you have told us so far. 

Based on the more than 500 responses received last year, common thoughts and responses were analysed and grouped under several broad themes.

All community responses are considered in the development of a final Budget. While some responses may be easily implementable, others may not be possible to include. Council takes a balanced approach when considering all responses in the context of all other relevant factors, such as other feedback received, the wider environment and resources available to Council.

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Last year, Council resolved to implement a Waste Service Charge commencing in the 2023/24 financial year to help cover the rising cost of providing waste services to our community.

The cost of providing waste services is increasing greater than the amount Council can recover through rates alone. The Victorian Government has also introduced laws to reduce waste, recover materials and increase recycling. These changes have impacted how local councils manage waste. This includes a requirement for all councils to provide households with a four-stream waste service (glass, recycling, food and green organics, and rubbish).

From 2023/24, there will be a change to the annual Valuation and Rate Notice. The rate notice will be itemised to include a Kerbside Waste Service Charge, Public Waste Service Charge and Supplementary Bin Charge.

Under a Waste Service Charge, all the costs of waste and recycling services are to be charged separately to general rates, with charges for waste and recycling services to be determined as part of budget considerations for 2023/24.

The funds collected from a separate Waste Service Charge will only be used to cover the costs of providing waste and recycling services in Whitehorse. It will also be subject to an annual audit by the Essential Services Commission and does not generate additional revenue for the City of Whitehorse.

The itemised Waste Service Charge will bring Whitehorse in line with more than 90 per cent of councils across Victoria. It’s also a way for us to be more transparent and give residents a clearer picture of how much it costs to manage waste in Whitehorse.

Rates are used to fund Council’s investment in community infrastructure such as maintaining, renewing and building new community centres, sports and recreation facilities, maintaining roads and parks, as well as to support the delivery of important community services.

Rates are paid by all property owners within the municipality. Council uses property values as the basis for calculating how much each property owner pays in rates.