Council’s Annual Plan and Budget 2026-27 reflects a commitment to responsible financial management, reliable service delivery and continued investment in the infrastructure our community relies upon every day.
Prepared during a period of ongoing financial pressure and economic uncertainty, the budget maintains a strong focus on transparency, careful financial management and delivering value for the community.
Continued surplus
A modest operating surplus is forecast for 2026-27, with Council remaining in a sound and stable financial position. Continued discipline will be required throughout the year as Council responds to cost uncertainty while maintaining essential services and infrastructure.
Delivering on the priorities set by Council and the community remains a strong focus, along with excellence in service delivery, continuous improvement and accountability. Performance against key strategic priorities and key performance indicators will continue to be reported quarterly so the community can see how Council is progressing.
Capital program
Council’s capital works program for 2026-27 totals approximately $18.76 million.
Of the 74 projects planned, 66% of the capital works program is directed toward asset renewal.
More than $665 million in community infrastructure assets support residents and communities across the municipality. Responsible asset management remains central to this budget and Council’s long-term planning.
Rates and charges
Council’s budget has been developed during a period of ongoing cost pressures affecting local government across Tasmania.
For 2026-27, Council’s overall revenue will increase by 6.1%. Council has reduced the overall general rate component by 4% and introduced a revised waste charging structure designed to provide greater transparency for ratepayers.
More information about rates, waste charges and fresh property valuations is available in the Rates Explained section.
Council’s 2026-27 Budget will help deliver 39 Annual Plan actions across the five pillars of the Term Plan, while supporting its Vision and Mission for the Central Coast through a range of capital projects and operational initiatives.
Feature highlights
- Continuing investment in local roads and road safety, with $3.6 million for road works across the municipality, including road reseals, widening at West Pine Road in Penguin, rural road drainage improvements, and the reconstruction of Risby Street in Ulverstone and Wilmot Road in Forth.
- Improvements to public toilets, including renewal of the Turners Beach toilets and changerooms.
- Nearly $1.6 million to maintain and care for open spaces and playgrounds, including delivery of the Fairway Park Master Plan, with the completion of a fenced toddler-play area.
- $1.8 million to improve footpaths and cycleways, including a feasibility study of the Shared Coastal Pathway Penguin to Ulverstone link, renewal of the Cann Street footpath and walkway, and renewal of the Beach Road, Ulverstone Shared Coastal Pathway link.
Additional highlights
- Undertaking planning and feasibility work with the Tasmanian Government to inform the future development of Dial Park.
- Delivering the Summer Events program, including Pacific Rhythm, Australia Day, Hive Summer Sessions, and Ulverstone Waterslide Summer Sessions.
- Development of a master plan for the Ulverstone Waterfront Precinct.
- $1.6 million to improve local sport and recreation facilities, including the Ulverstone Yacht Club, Penguin SLSC, Riana Recreation Ground, Ulverstone Cricket Club, Penguin Athletic Track and more.
- Establishing a new Central Coast Art Prize.
- Installing new camping and RV dump stations in Sulphur Creek and Ulverstone.
- Completing the $2.1 million replacement and upgrade of the Leven River Bridge on South Riana Road.
- Improvements to the Ulverstone Childcare Centre.
- Resealing of the North Reibey Street car park in Ulverstone.
- External Refurbishment of Forth Hall.
- Exploring the preferred location of the refurbishment of Ulverstone Kennel Club and Poultry Club
Rates fund the essential services and facilities that support daily life in Central Coast — from rubbish collection and local roads to planning, parks and stormwater management. They also help deliver long-term priorities set out in Council’s Term Plan.
Council’s 2026–27 budget outlines a responsible financial plan that balances the need to maintain services with the realities of rising costs across all sectors.
Understanding your Rates
In 2026-27, Council’s overall rate revenue will increase by 6.1%. This reflects inflation, rising service delivery costs and continued increases in waste management expenses, including higher State Government charges and transport costs.
Your rates notice may look different this year due to updated property valuations and a revised waste charging structure. While Council’s total rates revenue requirement is increasing, the general rate has been reduced by 4%, with waste costs now shown separately.
Previously, many waste-related costs were included within the general rate. Showing them separately provides a fairer and clearer picture of the cost of waste services across the municipality.
What's in your Rates?
General rate
Helps fund Council services and infrastructure across the municipality.
Kerbside Collection Charge
This charge applies to properties that receive kerbside waste, recycling and FOGO services.
Waste Service Voucher Charge
A new charge for eligible rural properties that receive waste disposal vouchers in place of kerbside collection.
Municipal Waste Charge
A new charge that helps cover other waste services across the municipal area, including subsidisation of the Resource Recovery Centre and broader municipal waste services.
Fire levy
The State Fire Levy is set by the State Government and collected by Council on the State’s behalf. It helps fund the Tasmanian Fire Service, including firefighting personnel, training and infrastructure.
About Property Revaluation
All properties across the Central Coast have received updated property valuations through the State valuation process, undertaken by the Office of the Valuer-General.
Revaluation changes how the general rate is shared across properties. It does not mean Council is collecting the same increase as property values.
Rates are based on the value of your property compared to others. This means your rates are affected not only by how much your property value changed, but also by how your valuation changed compared with other properties across the municipality.
What revaluation means for you
If your property valuation increased more than average:
You may pay a larger share of the general rate.
If your property valuation increased less than average:
You may see a smaller increase or even a reduction in your general rate.
If your valuation changed close to the average:
Your rates outcome may be closer to the average municipal change.
Discounts & Support
Early Payment Discount
Council has made a change to the early payment discount for this year, with a reduction from 3.75% to 2.5% (excluding the fire levy).
This discount applies to ratepayers who pay their rates in full by 31 August 2026.
Pensioner Remissions
Eligible pensioners may receive a State Government rates remission. This applies to holders of certain concession cards, such as Pensioner Concession Cards and Health Care Cards.
To check your eligibility, visit the State Revenue Office website or contact Council for assistance.
Financial Hardship Policy
If you’re experiencing financial hardship, help is available under Council’s Financial Hardship Assistance Policy.
Ratepayers can apply to defer payment or arrange a flexible payment plan. Early communication is key — please contact us as soon as possible to discuss your options.
To learn more, visit our Rates page or get in touch with our Customer Service team.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Annual Plan?
The Annual Plan is Council’s “to-do list” for the year ahead. It outlines the projects, services and improvements Council plans to deliver during 2026–27 and explains how those activities will be funded.
What is the budget?
The budget is Council’s financial plan for the year ahead. It outlines the income Council expects to receive and how that money will be spent on services, facilities, infrastructure and community projects.
The budget helps ensure Council can continue delivering the services our community relies on while remaining financially sustainable.
How is the Annual Plan and Budget developed?
The Annual Plan is developed through a detailed planning process involving Councillors, the Chief Executive Officer and Council staff.
It considers:
- Community priorities and feedback.
- Council’s Strategic Plan, Term Plan and adopted strategies
- Legislative requirements.
- Available resources and funding.
- The ongoing maintenance and renewal needs of community infrastructure.
The result is a plan that balances maintaining essential services with investing in future improvements.
What is included in this year's budget?
The 2026–27 Budget includes:
- Approximately $44 million in services to the community.
- A capital works program of approximately $18.8 million.
- 74 capital projects across the municipality.
- 39 Annual Plan actions.
- Continued investment in roads, footpaths, parks, playgrounds and community facilities.
How is Council using rates it collects this year?
The community has consistently told us that looking after the basics matters most.
The community have told us that roads, footpaths, parks, playgrounds, public amenities are important to them. Essential services that the community rely on and enjoy every day. Budget highlights have this in mind.
Highlights include:
- $3.6 million in road and road safety improvements.
- West Pine Road widening.
- Reconstruction of Risby Street and Wilmot Road.
- Turners Beach toilet and changeroom renewal.
- Fairway Park improvements, including a fenced toddler play area.
- Footpath and cycleway upgrades.
- Planning work for the Penguin to Ulverstone Shared Coastal Pathway link.
Upgrades to sporting and community facilities across the municipality.
Why are my rates increasing?
Council’s overall rate revenue will increase by 6.1% in 2026–27.
Like households and businesses, Council continues to face rising costs. Construction materials, waste management, fuel, insurance and maintaining community infrastructure have all become more expensive.
The increase helps Council continue delivering the services and facilities our community expects while maintaining and renewing important infrastructure such as roads, footpaths, parks and public amenities.
Why is Council changing the waste charges?
While Council’s total rates revenue is increasing, the general rate component has been reduced by 4%, due to a revised waste charging structure.
Council has introduced a revised structure to provide greater transparency and fairness.
Previously, many waste-related costs were included within the general rate component. Showing them separately provides a fairer and clearer picture of the cost of waste services across the municipality.
What is Council doing to reduce its cost to the community?
Council continually reviews expenditure and seeks efficiencies.
Over recent years Council has:
- Undertaken expenditure reviews.
- Implemented cost containment measures.
- Improved financial performance.
- Returned to a surplus position.
Council is also investing in increased capacity to modernise our service delivery, which will continue to build on the organisation’s capacity to serve you well and efficiently.
Council manages over $665m in infrastructure assets. Delaying investment in maintenance can result in significantly higher costs in the future. Understanding our assets, their condition, and maintaining our assets better has been a significant improvement focus.
If Council’s rates income is increasing how come my rates have gone up by more than that?
While Council’s overall rate revenue is increasing by 6.1%, individual properties may experience a different increase.
This is because property valuations have been updated by the Office of the Valuer General.
As a result, some properties may see increases above the average, while others may see smaller increases or even reductions in some components of their rates.
Why are property valuations affecting my rates?
Council does not determine property valuations.
Property valuations are independently assessed by the Office of the Valuer General and must be used by Council to calculate the rates payable on each property.
A higher property valuation does not automatically mean Council is collecting more money overall. Instead, it changes how the total rates burden is shared across the municipality.
If my valuation went down, will my rates go down?
Not necessarily.
Your rates depend on both your property’s valuation and how it compares with valuation changes across the rest of the municipality.
A lower valuation movement may result in a smaller increase, or in some cases a reduction in the general rate component.
Why is Council changing the waste charges?
What rates support is available?
Early Payment Discount
Council offers a discount of 2.5% to all ratepayers who pay their total Rates and Charges in full on or before 31 August 2026.
Pensioner Remission
Eligible pensioners may receive a State Government rates remission. This applies to holders of certain concession cards, such as Pensioner Concession Cards and Health Care Cards.
To check your eligibility or apply, visit the State Revenue Office website or contact Council for assistance.
Financial Hardship Policy
If you’re experiencing financial hardship, help is available under Council’s Financial Hardship Assistance Policy.
Ratepayers can apply to defer payment or arrange a flexible payment plan. Early communication is key — please contact us as soon as possible to discuss your options.
To learn more, visit our Rates page or get in touch with our Customer Service team.
When are my rates due?
- Instalment 1: 31 August 2026
- Instalment 2: 30 November 2026
- Instalment 3: 28 February 2027
- Instalment 4: 31 May 2027
Documents
Contact Us
Got questions about the Annual Plan and Budget for 2026-27 or need help understanding your rates? Contact us below:
Phone: 03 6429 8900
Email: admin@centralcoast.tas.gov.au