Published on Thursday, 21 August 2025 at 9:00:00 AM
The Shire of Ashburton has adopted its budget for the 2025–2026 financial year, with core objectives including sustainability, tourism, liveability and infrastructure upgrades.
Shire President Audra Smith said this year’s budget addresses the necessity for improved community spaces, accommodation and infrastructure, while highlighting the need to keep residential rates and charges low to address the pressures of rising living costs.
“For the year 2025–2026, we are launching an ambitious capital works program worth over $100 million. This includes $46 million in new funding and $56 million for projects that were funded and commenced in 2024–2025. This program will continue our intergenerational renewal and upgrade of community infrastructure, while generating alternative income streams for the Shire to enhance long-term financial sustainability.
“Recognising the importance of our road network for economic success, we have allocated additional annual funding to progressively resheet and upgrade roads throughout the Shire, with an expenditure of over $30 million this year for road and drainage works. This investment highlights the significance of asset management in maintaining and enhancing this vital asset class.
“To address recruitment and retention issues and to maintain service levels, Council recognises the need for additional staff housing. Therefore, we are allocating a further $5 million towards building additional accommodation and $2 million towards upgrades and maintenance of existing housing. This ongoing investment is crucial in ensuring that we can attract and retain the necessary workforce to support our community's needs,” stated President Smith.
President Smith has also highlighted the need for continued community and visitor access to open spaces and green spaces, with significant funding allocated towards the completion of upgrades to the Ocean View Caravan Park (Onslow), opening of the Minna Oval Sports Pavillion (Tom Price), accessibility and amenity improvements to the Community Hall (Paraburdoo), lighting and shade upgrades to the Dog Park (Paraburdoo), playground and BBQ refurbishments (Pannawonica), and the construction of a Pump Track (Pannawonica).
President Smith, on behalf of Council and the Shire of Ashburton, expressed her excitement for the implementation of this budget, stating,
“These projects reflect our dedication to making Ashburton a region where communities thrive – from upgraded parks and sporting precincts to critical housing and tourism infrastructure.”
Click here to view the 2025–2026 Budget in full.
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