Supporting everyday life across our towns: major projects planned for 2025/26
The 2025/26 budget is our plan for funding the services and facilities our community needs to make our shire a great place to live, now and into the future.
In addition to providing continued funding for essential day-to-day services (such as ranger operations, public health, road maintenance, parks and reserves, waste facilities and libraries, recreation and arts services), this year's budget includes $26 million to look after the infrastructure and facilities that support everyday life, as well as $875,000 for local community and environmental groups.
Here's how the budget will support towns, community groups and the environment.
Augusta
- Cape Leeuwin Trail extension
- Marine structure works including Turner St Jetty
- Park / Public Open Space upgrades at Firestone Way Park, Centennial Hall and East Augusta
- Augusta Bowling club storage shed renewal
- Aerodrome taxiway realignment and fencing
- Plus road works, path, drainage or bridge repairs including on Victoria Pde, Blackwood Ave, Donovan St and Wilson Rd
Cowaramup / Gracetown
- Duggan Drive path construction
- Cowaramup Hall playground renewal
- Duggan Pavilion floor coverings
- South Point toilet block plumbing and minor renewal
- South Point and boardwalk renewal
- Swimmers’ Beach toilet block plumbing and minor renewal
- Swimmers’ Beach carpark upgrades
- Melaleucas stairs improvements
- Trial of temporary beach matting at Swimmers' Beach to improve access
- Designs for Gracetown Village Centre and Hasluck Street Overflow Parking
- Plus road works including on Cowaramup Bay Road and Ablett/Wirring Rd.
Prevelly/Gnarabup
- Wallcliffe Road lookout improvements
- Rivermouth/Mainbreak balustrade renewal
- Beach user and surf etiquette signage
- Design for the Gnarabup shared path
Margaret River
- Playground renewal and/or replacement at Rotary Park, Halcyon Crescent and Farmhouse Park
- Renewal at Nippers Oval
- BMX Track commentary box renewal
- Rugby Equipment Shed renewal
- Lighting upgrades at Margaret River Bowls Club
- Refurbishment of Old Settlement caretaker cottage
- HEART courtyard upgrades
- HEART/Margaret River Recreation Centre fire detection system reconfiguration
- Margaret River Library roof replacement
- Margaret River Community Centre ongoing building renewals
- Planning and Designs for carparking upgrades at Margaret River Community Centre (Farrelly St), Old Settlement and Kevill Rd
- Path upgrade on Wallcliffe Rd and Townview Tce
- Plus road works, drainage or bridge repairs on Wallcliffe Rd, Tunbridge St, Kevill Rd, Carter Rd, Churchill Ave/Ned Higgins intersection, Coronation St/ Settlers Rtt, Ryans Rd
Witchcliffe
- Completion of multipurpose court upgrades
- Eco-village play space construction
- Bussell Hwy/Lake St drainage upgrade
Other areas
- Alexandra Bridge Hall veranda renewal
- Alexandra Bridge Hall playground
- Alexandra Bridge Hall minor toilet block renewal
- Alexandra Bridge multi-purpose courts
- Alexandra Bridge campground new toilet facility
- Various Road renewal and bridge works in Scott River, Rosa Brook, Osmington, Warner Glen, Karridale and Kudardup.
How the budget supports community groups
Our shire is fortunate to have incredible community groups who play a valuable role improving the quality of life of our residents. We’ve allocated funds to support those community groups whose work aligns with our priorities and will provide funding via our:
- Community support services grants
- Community partnerships
- Community development grants
- Major events grants
- Environmental management fund grants
For more information on grant funding opportunities is avaialble on the grants and fianancial assistance page of our website.
How the budget supports the environment
From agriculture to windsurfing, our community is deeply connected to and defined by the natural environment that binds us together – it’s more than where we live, it’s who we are.
Caring for our natural environment is one of our key focus areas and we are committed to protecting and enhancing our special home and the biodiversity of our region.
We’ll continue our extensive on-ground environmental work and reserve management including weed mapping, erosion control and revegetation; and have allocated funds to support community groups undertaking important environmental programs.
In addition, we will continue to plan, implement and deliver the:
- Local Biodiversity Strategy (draft)
- Climate Action Plan
- Climate Adaptation Plan
- Coastal Hazard Risk Management and Adaptation Plan
These plans describe what actions we’ll take, including what we provide directly, how we partner with other groups to deliver, what we regulate, and how we advocate to other tiers of government for more support.
We’ve also heard from our agricultural community, who shared their desire to be better understood, recognised and supported as stewards of the land.
Read our 2025/26 budget press release here
Get a budget breakdown and read our Q&As here.