Council
6 May, 2026
Budget brawl
IN A spectacular end to his time as a Glenelg Shire Councillor, Mike Noske has exited a council gathering mid-meeting, submitting his written resignation to the executive, on the spot.
Last Tuesday’s meeting was gazetted to be the platform for council to pass the 2026-2027 draft budget and release it for consultation to the community.
Elected on a platform which heavily featured campaigning to have council’s decision to “increase rate collections by $3.5M in June of 2022”, reversed, Mr Noske said after the meeting that he and councillor John Pepper, who also raised the same matter in his pre-election campaign, had been “blocked at every turn” when attempting to raise that specific matter with his fellow councillors.
“I got myself elected - in a campaign in which the 2022 decision of Council to increase rate collections was a significant factor,” Mr Noske wrote in his resignation letter.
“Foolishly, I believed that with a new group of Councillors, it would be as simple as showing them how the 2022 decision was based on incorrect or improper assumptions, to bring about a reversal of the ongoing collection of $3.5m in rates every year.
“Rates that Council should not be taking from a community that cannot afford them.
“I struggle to balance that attitude with Council’s outrage at the state Government’s $3.5m per year increase in the Emergency levy “because our ratepayers cannot afford it”.
“I cannot and will not serve on a Council that is willing to continually put the organisation’s short-term interests ahead of those of the wider community.”
Mr Noske submitted his resignation letter directly to shire chief executive, Helen Havercroft, at the meeting, before walking out to the cheers of the public gallery.
Glenelg Shire Council issued a statement following the meeting, confirming it had received and accepted Mr Noske’s resignation.
“The Minister for Local Government and the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) have been notified, as required,” the statement read.
“The VEC will now undertake a process to determine the appointment of a replacement Councillor, it is expected this process will take some time.”
The statement advised the draft budget was “the culmination of a series of Councillor briefings where budget principles were discussed alongside the need to balance the requirements of the adopted Long Term Financial Plan and the ability to maintain assets & deliver services”.
“Respectful discussion and differing views are a normal and important part of good governance, and April’s Council Meeting reflected that process,” it read.
“Not all Councillors agreed with the content of the draft budget, ultimately leading to Mr Noske deciding to tender his resignation.
“Council is unable to comment on the reasons for his decision.”
The 2026-2027 draft budget and rating plan was endorsed and release for public comment, following the meeting.
It includes a $16m capital works program, with a strong emphasis on renewing ageing and deteriorating assets across the shire and an additional $1m towards asset renewal to protect essential infrastructure and reduce future cost pressures.
A total of $8.5m is allocated to the 2026/27 renewal program, including $5.6m for local road renewals. Increased investment is also directed to building renewal works to maintain existing community facilities, renewal works at the Casterton Saleyards, and improved investment in parks, open spaces and streetscapes.
Council encourages community members to review the draft budget and provide feedback before it is is finalised.
The Draft Budget 2026/27 is available online via Your Say GLENELG from 30 April or in hard copy from council customer service centres.
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