Community
28 May, 2026
Bealiba tip staying open as council adopts 'financially responsible' budget
“The waste transfer stations at Bealiba, Dunolly and Talbot have been funded in this Budget, along with the community grants.”
TIPS in Bealiba, Talbot and Dunolly will remain open and funded in Central Goldfields Shire Council's next budget.
Following backlash from the communities when council considered closing the three transfer stations in its draft budget, mayor Ben Green said it received 332 submissions and two petitions in response.
"We listened closely to the community’s priorities and amended our final plans to maintain core services,” he said.
“The waste transfer stations at Bealiba, Dunolly and Talbot have been funded in this Budget, along with the community grants.”
Cr Green said a forecast underlying deficit of $5.4 million for the next financial year has been reduced to $3.2 million in the Budget, and it’s on track to be wiped out in 2029-30.
“Council has resolved to balance the books to ensure we can maintain a sustainable cash position, remove our underlying deficit and maintain our assets,” Cr Green said.
“We are being financially responsible in a challenging operating environment.
“The scale of the challenge is big, and decisive action is required to return to an underlying surplus.”
Cr Green said the local government sector is experiencing one of the most challenging financial periods in its history.
“We have been facing sustained challenges, year on year. After a decade of rate capping, the gap between income and expenses has continued to increase,” he said.
“Insurance costs have risen 20 per cent, and materials and construction expenses continue to climb.
“State Government funding has not kept pace with the services we deliver on their behalf, such as school-crossing supervision, libraries and other services Council provides on behalf of Government.”
Chief Executive Officer Peter Harriott said, consistent with Council’s Financial Plan and Asset Plan, capital investment in the Budget is focused almost entirely on maintaining existing local assets and completing current multi-year projects.
“To meet the financial challenges, we are committed to improving our systems, embracing innovation, and finding new ways to operate more efficiently,” he said.
Proposed Budget initiatives to improve the Council’s financial position include:
Reducing labour costs
Increasing operational efficiency
Selling surplus land
Reviewing all services.
“With the State Government’s 2.75 per cent cap on rate increases, we have aimed to avoid applying for a rate cap exemption,” Mr Harriott said.
“The rate cap is lower than inflation, which means we cannot afford to do everything we have done in the past, and we appreciate this is a difficult adjustment for our community. In future years we may have to apply for rate cap variation.
“To meet these challenges, Council has taken a disciplined approach to both capital and operational expenditure.
“As a result, the cash balance is expected to be around $6.6 million at the end of 2025-26 and grow to $12.3 million by 2029-30, supporting a much healthier financial position over time.”
Cr Green said capital projects in the Budget include:
Maryborough Outdoor Pool stage two
Deledio Recreation Reserve Pavilion upgrade
The annual road resealing and asphalting program
Public convenience upgrades, including automatic toilet locks and barbecue sensors
Aerodrome Regional Airport Program, round four.
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