Greater Dandenong Councillors passed the 2026–27 Budget at our meeting on Monday night (15 June). This is a budget that invests in our future while continuing to deliver the services and facilities our community relies on every day.
This year’s Budget includes a major capital works program of more than $105 million, supporting projects that will strengthen livability, connection and opportunity right across Greater Dandenong.
A key focus is the delivery of Oasis Aquatics and Wellbeing — one of the biggest and most important community projects our Council has ever undertaken.
Once complete, Oasis Aquatics and Wellbeing will be much more than just a new building. It will be a vibrant community destination, bringing together aquatics, fitness, rehabilitation and wellbeing services all in one place. It will feature a 50-metre pool, learn-to-swim and leisure pools, warm water pools, a gym, group fitness spaces, allied health consulting rooms, community areas, a café and an integrated sports pavilion.
We’re also continuing to invest in the things that matter most to local people — local roads and drainage, parks and playgrounds, waste and recycling, public safety initiatives and improvements to the Dandenong Market. We’re progressing our Dandenong New Art (DNA) project which will be a contemporary exhibition space for our community.
This Budget reflects our Annual Action Plan, which sets out specific activities and projects we will undertake. Together our Annual Budget and Annual Action Plan detail how we will service our community.
The environment as always is a focus, with support to roll out actions from the new Our Bright Green Future sustainability strategy. We’ll also be completing a new sensory trail at Tirhatuan Park in Dandenong North. This project builds on existing park features such as Dandenong Creek, native vegetation and open spaces to create sensory elements that support physical, emotional and mental wellbeing. The design is guided by principles of inclusivity, sustainability and community connection.
Community safety will receive a boost of more than $2 million to support security and CCTV infrastructure as well as public lighting renewal.
Works will also begin under our Five Year Open Space Plan, with more than $2 million invested in eight projects to upgrade playgrounds, park amenities and recreational infrastructure.
We understand that many people in our community are continuing to face cost-of-living pressures. That’s why we have worked hard to balance investment in our city with affordability for residents. We have applied the Victorian Government’s rate cap, while continuing to provide flexible payment options and hardship support for those who need it.
This is a responsible and forward-looking Budget that continues to support our growing and diverse community.
Thank you to everyone who contributed feedback throughout the budget process. Together, we are continuing to build a stronger, more connected and more vibrant Greater Dandenong.
Visit greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/budget for more information.
Annual Plan initiatives funded in the 2026/27 Budget
- Improve the perceptions of community safety through infrastructure upgrades, including improved lighting, streetscape enhancements, CCTV, fencing and other interventions.
- Strengthen Council’s partnership with South East Leisure to design and deliver diverse, free and low cost physical activity initiatives that improve community access, enhance awareness, and drive increased participation.
- Implement the Springvale Revitalisation Action Plan including decorative lighting in Buckingham Avenue.
- Ensure major infrastructure projects, including the Webster Street Level Crossing Removal Project, incorporate appropriate integrated water management measures.
- Progress the transition of Council owned vehicles to hybrid or electric vehicles.
- Deliver the Dandenong Pathway to Employment Hub to connect residents with local job, training, and support services to build work readiness and strengthen participation in employment pathways.
- Implement the Rates Hardship and Assistance Policy to support those experiencing financial difficulties.
- Improve access to community consultations in languages other than English, both in-person and online.
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A crane lowers a massive timber bean into place at Oasis Aquatics and Wellbeing -
From the sky we can see progress is well underway at Oasis Aquatics and Wellbeing -
Funding has been set aside to improve perceptions of community safety including improved CCTV -
Funding has been set aside for improvements to the iconic Dandenong Market
