What the council is working on
Recent deliveries, what's underway now, and what's planned next — drawn from the council's own plans, budgets and project pages. We report what the council has publicly said it's doing; every item links to its source.
The council's stated direction
Cardinia's direction is set by its Community Vision 2040 and the Council Plan 2025–29, which the council says was shaped by a deliberative community panel. Each year the plan is carried out through the annual budget, and the council reports on it in its annual report.
The Council Plan has five strategic objectives. 'Thriving communities': programs, facilities and places that are safe and inclusive. 'Vibrant places': well-designed towns and infrastructure for a growing and changing shire. 'Adaptive environments': caring for the natural environment and building climate resilience. 'Prosperous economies': urban and rural business and local jobs. 'Responsible leaders': responsible leadership and financial stewardship.
The 2026–27 budget has a $66.3 million capital works program, more than half of it for renewing and upgrading existing assets, including $23.4 million on roads. It includes $6.9 million for the Cardinia Youth Hub, $3.4 million for the Sealing of the Hills program, funded by grants, and $11.9 million of plant and equipment, mostly for replacing the council's core IT systems (a $32 million, four-year project). The council plans to borrow $20.9 million in 2026–27.
Underway now
Cardinia Youth Hub
$6.9 million in the 2026–27 capital works programA new youth facility, funded in 2026–27 by $3 million of grants and $3.9 million of borrowing. The budget lists it among the key property investments for the year.
Source: Cardinia Shire Council — Budget 2026–27, section 4.5.2
Pakenham Revitalisation
Funded stages under way in 2026–27A staged upgrade of central Pakenham. The Council Plan action for 2026–27 is to deliver the funded stages and seek funding for more.
Source: Cardinia Shire Council — Budget 2026–27 (Council Plan initiatives)
Cardinia Planning Scheme Review
Part A endorsed June 2026; Part B on exhibition from September 2026The review the council must carry out under the Planning and Environment Act 1987. Part A covered administrative and technical changes; Part B reviews local planning policy. The council says the review is strategic and doesn't rezone individual properties.
Source: Creating Cardinia — Exhibition of the Draft Planning Scheme Review, Part B
Planned / committed
Unsealed Roads Improvement Plan
Presented to the 21 September 2026 council meeting for adoptionA framework for prioritising maintenance and upgrades across the shire's more than 800 km of unsealed roads (Council Plan action 2.12). Officers recommended adoption, and the report says adoption doesn't commit the council to specific projects or funding levels.
Source: Cardinia Shire Council — Council Meeting agenda, 21 September 2026, item 7.1.1
Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy 2026–36
Council adoption expected late 2026A 10-year plan for waste services, replacing the 2017 strategy. The draft was on consultation from 17 February to 17 March 2026.