The City's 25/26 Budget

We have earmarked $2.7 billion in projects to increase open space and invest in community infrastructure, urban transformation and new facilities over the next 10 years.

Major items include the development of Town Hall Square, waiving fees for outdoor dining and community groups booking venues, and boosting cleansing services across the city.

On behalf of Sydney businesses and residents, the City maintains a strong financial position with a responsible and sustainable operating and capital budget of more than $900 million for the coming financial year.

In the next financial year alone, the City of Sydney will spend more than $631 million to operate and maintain venues, parks and public spaces, as well as numerous programs and services, including additional money for cleansing and resource recovery including waste collection, street cleansing and removing illegally dumped goods.

Our 2025/26 capital works budget funds more than 400 projects, including a significant lighting upgrade in Hyde Park, the adaptive reuse of the Sydney Park Brick Kilns and delivery of a major new park in Green Square and a new recreation and sports centre in Alexandria.

We will also invest more than $29 million via our grants program.

During the '90s, the City was on the brink of bankruptcy. Since I have been elected, we have delivered budget surpluses every year, all of which have received unqualified audits.

Through careful, strategic financial planning, we are confident of completing major works such as Town Hall Square while maintaining high service levels, continuing to invest in community facilities and our comprehensive grants program, and, importantly, ensuring rates are kept low now and into the future.

Operational Budget for the coming year

In the next financial year, we will invest more than $631 million to operate and maintain venues, parks and public spaces, as well as numerous programs and services.

• $86 million: Increased cleansing and resource recovery including waste collection, street cleansing and removing illegally dumped goods.

• $68 million: Maintaining infrastructure, including footpaths, roads, parks, removing graffiti and managing more than 50,000 trees.
• $20 million: Waiving outdoor dining fees to support local businesses trading outside.

• $38 million: Major events including programming for Christmas, New Year’s Eve, the Sydney Lunar Festival and Sydney Streets parties.

• $29 million: Grants ranging from creative and food support, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander fund, support for homelessness services, accommodation grants and sponsorship of festivals and events.

Capital Works in the works

We have a capital works budget of more than $276 million, to deliver over 400 projects in the coming year.

• $12.7 million: Upgrading the lighting and power in Hyde Park
• $11.4 million: Adding 6,300 square metres of extra space to Gunyama Park

• $10.4 million: Repairing and landscaping the Sydney Park brick kilns
• $10.4 million: Building the new Huntley Street public recreation and sports centre in Alexandria
• $9.2 million: Completing the pedestrianisation of George Street north
• $8.5 million: Improving Crown Street
• $5.8 million: Advancing the Dixon Street renewal
• $5.1 million: Developing Green Square Public School community spaces

Now included in longterm financial plan

Long term, the City of Sydney is investing in major multi-million dollar projects that represent Council’s and the community’s aspirations.

• $185 million: Upgrading Sydney Square and building Town Hall Square

• $78 million: Constructing new multi-purpose sports fields and centre at Mandible Street, Alexandria
• $73.5 million: Redeveloping the Bay Street depot
• $38 million: Building the Green Square to Ashmore connector
• $25 million: Restoring Paddington Town Hall
• $13.4 million: Renewing Waterloo Oval and Park