Cumberland puts draft 2026-27 budget and fees on public exhibition

Residents will have 28 days to review Cumberland Council’s draft operational plan and proposed fees before the package returns to councillors for final consideration.

Cumberland Council has endorsed its Draft Operational Plan 2026-2027 and Draft Fees and Charges 2026-2027 for public exhibition, opening a 28-day window for residents to comment on proposed spending, services and fees.

The decision was made at the council meeting on 25 March. The minutes show the draft budget package will come back to council after the exhibition period, before it is finalised.

The draft plan sits alongside several other decisions with budget or service implications from the same meeting. Councillors added $50,000 to the draft operational budget for a trial of extended operating hours for the council's rangers service, and adopted the Cumberland Children and Families Strategy 2026-2030.

Council also approved several contracts, including a scheduled hygiene services contract awarded to Enviro-LCS Pty Ltd for $582,422.81 excluding GST over three years, with two one-year extension options. A boom gate and carpark operation contract was awarded to Designa Australia Pty Ltd for $938,231.30 excluding GST, covering installation works and five years of operating costs.

For residents, the immediate change is the chance to review the draft plan and fees before they are adopted. The draft budget process will also include the proposed ranger-hours trial, which could affect how council responds to compliance and amenity matters outside current service hours.

Other matters progressed but were not yet implemented. Council backed in principle a report on a tree-planting incentive scheme focused first on low-canopy streets in Regents Park Ward, and a feasibility study for smart parking around Lidcombe Town Centre, Lidcombe Station, Bridge Street car park and other high-demand areas.

In project decisions, councillors agreed to move the Hyland Road Landfill Cap project to a selective tender stage, with six shortlisted respondents to be invited to tender and a further report to return to council.

Separate closed-session property recommendations were also adopted, including proposed drainage easements in South Wentworthville, subject to valuation, engineering advice, public notification and applicant-paid costs.