AlburyCity has released its draft budget, outlining a strategic approach to deliver essential infrastructure, advance the city’s long-term vision, and respond to economic pressures through careful financial management.
The community will be invited to provide feedback on the Draft Four Year Delivery Program 2025-2029, Draft Operational Plan 2025-2026 and Draft Long-Term Financial Plan, after Councillors agreed the draft plans should be placed on public exhibition for a minimum of 28 days.
The budget documents provide a roadmap for how AlburyCity will continue to deliver quality services, upgrade vital infrastructure, and progress the community’s shared vision as set out in the Towards Albury 2050 strategic plan.
“AlburyCity is not immune to the rising costs impacting households and businesses across Australia,” said AlburyCity Mayor Kevin Mack.
“We’ve responded by reassessing our operational and capital works budgets - aiming to live within our means while continuing to make smart, strategic investments in our city’s future.”
The Four Year Delivery Program 2025 - 2029 encompasses $380 million in proposed projects, including $94 million in capital income, focused on boosting liveability, preparing for population growth and future-proofing essential services.
- Key projects include:
- Waterview Stage Two Wastewater Treatment Plant – $61M
- Main Sewage Pump Station and Rising Main (Wodonga Place Depot) – $39M
- Thurgoona Link Road – $40M (includes $11M in grants and $8M in contributions)
- Albury Entertainment Centre Convention Wing Expansion – $39.5M (includes $25M in grant funding)
- Lavington Swim Centre Redevelopment – $36M (pending $20M in funding)
- Road and Drainage Rehabilitation – $12M (includes $6M in Roads to Recovery grants)
- Albury Airport Runway Overlay – $10M (includes $5M in grant funding)
- Lauren Jackson Sports Centre Upgrade – $8M (includes $5M in grant funding)
To help fund these investments and Council’s operational initiatives, a 4.1% increase in ordinary rate revenue is proposed, aligned with the rate peg set by the NSW Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART).
For the average residential household, this will equate to an increase of $2.95 per week across combined rates and service charges (including water, wastewater and waste management).
The annual Domestic Waste Management Charge will remain unchanged at $345, supported by reserve funds.
Mayor Mack acknowledged the financial pressures many residents are facing.
“We are working hard to remain within the rate peg, which means we need to identify new revenue opportunities and recover previously foregone user revenue.
“At the same time, we have reviewed our user pay fees and other revenue, and we are tightening non-business critical budgets wherever possible, including a pause on recruitment to non-business critical AlburyCity positions, to re-set and improve our financial position.”
Albury’s water and wastewater infrastructure is nearing capacity and critical works are needed within the next five years to ensure service reliability across the entire Albury LGA for today and the future.
To fund these critical water and wastewater upgrades, an 8% increase in water and sewer charges is proposed.
“While these works represent a significant investment, Albury has historically maintained some of the lowest water and sewer rates in NSW, and we are forecasting these charges to stabilise and eventually reduce as our population grows,” said Mayor Mack.
AlburyCity is also preparing to release several key strategic plans for community input during May, including the Draft Social Infrastructure Strategy, the reviewed Thurgoona-Wirlinga Precinct Structure Plan, and the Draft Water and Wastewater Master Plans.
“Albury is one of Australia’s fastest-growing regional cities. People want to live, work and invest here,” said Mayor Mack.
“With the population expected to double over the next 50 years, we are proactively planning for and investing in the critical infrastructure needed to support our community’s future.”
The Draft Four Year Delivery Program 2025-2029, Operational Plan 2025-2026, and Long-Term Financial Plan will be available for public comment for 28 days via the Engaging Albury website from Saturday 3 May 2025.
Printed copies will also be available at the AlburyCity Council offices (Kiewa Street), Albury LibraryMuseum and the Lavington Library.
Feedback closes on Friday 30 May 2025, with all submissions to be considered by Council in June, before final endorsement of the draft budget.