2025/26 BUDGET ADOPTED: Building Financial Stability and Maintaining Essential Services For Our Community

Published on Friday, 20 June 2025 at 2:24:57 PM

Shire of Derby/West Kimberley has adopted its 2025/26 Annual Budget, following the Ordinary Council (Commissioner) Meeting held on 18 June 2025.

This year’s budget focuses on continuing to provide essential services, managing costs responsibly and putting community priorities first.

Key elements of the 2025/26 Budget include:
• Reduction in existing debt and budgeting within our means without incurring new debt
• A reduction in operating expenditure and managing lower employee-related costs sustainably
• Continued delivery of core local government services across all departments in the organisation
• A capital works program that is realistic, affordable and focused on priority infrastructure
• Expansion of partnerships with key stakeholders including Lotterywest and local Aboriginal corporations
• A pathway toward financial sustainability while preserving service quality.

“This budget reflects the realities of the economic environment we’re all living in—rising costs, financial pressure on households and the need for every dollar to go further,” said Jeff Gooding, Commissioner.

The Shire is also drafting a three-year Long Term Financial Plan to guide the delivery of asset management responsibilities and support the development of a longer-term strategy for financial stability.

The Shire’s leadership remains committed to working closely with the community to ensure responsible governance and strategic investment in the region’s future.

A full breakdown of the 2025–26 Budget is available on the Shire’s website, here: https://www.sdwk.wa.gov.au/council/publications/fees-charges-budgets.aspx

For more information, contact us via email sdwk@sdwk.wa.gov.au or call 9191 0999. Alternatively, submit an online request here: https://www.sdwk.wa.gov.au/forms/contact-us/1