A plan to phase out the pensioner rebate was the subject of a third of submissions on Baw Baw Shire's 2025/26 draft budget.
The proposal to reduce the $100 rebate to $50 in 2025/26 before cutting it completely in 2026/27 attracted 10 written submission during a four-week public consultation process.
A plea to keep a 200-metre gravel section of High St in Aberfeldy attracted three submissions, whilst failure to include a Neerim South pedestrian crossing upgrade and objections to rate charges were the subject of two objections each.
Proposing a three per cent rate increase, an officer report said council received 29 submissions on its draft budget during the second stage of public consultation from April 24 to May 1.
It followed 23 initial submissions and verbal presentations at a special meeting between January to March.
Main themes emerging from the draft annual budget, draft revenue and rating plan and draft capital works program included: pensioner rebate; road and footpaths; community services; sports and recreation; community infrastructure; and, fees and charges.
Specific items raised included Bellbird Park entry fees, need for a Trafalgar library, lack of funding for diversity and equity initiatives, and need for a dust suppression program.
Speakers at the council meeting also called for more shelters at Burke St netball courts in Warragul and solar lighting at the Bellbird Park dog park in Drouin.
Cr Kate Wilson thanked those who made community submissions and said "we've got more reviewing to do before the final budget is adopted."
"They're all important and they're all urgent, but we have only one year's budget to deal with and we've tried to prioritise as well as we can," Cr Wilson said.
She highlighted an allocation to look into operational efficiencies and noted the frustration of submitters calling on council to cut employment costs.
"It's just a little ignorant of the fact that almost 70 per cent of council's employees live in this community," Cr Wilson said. "It almost suggests that some people would rather cut services and put their neighbour out of a job."
Cr Suzanne Allen said consultation was brought forward this year to help shape the budget from the outset.
"We do listen," Cr Allen said. "It helps us to shape the future of the shire."
Cr Ben Lucas said he was surprised by just 29 submissions despite public outcry on the pensioner rebate cut.
"I'm not sure if it's the process that's the issue or people just aren't interested in going that extra formal step," he said. "If you feel really passionate about a particular topic or subject, you've got to submit through the formal channels."
Despite acknowledging it was part of a long-term plan, Cr Lucas said he had listened and didn't support the pensioner rebate cut, especially following his opposition to the Emergency Services Volunteer Fund.
"It would be remiss of me to be a champion of the underdog and then not support the pensioner rebate."
With extra funds inserted into the community grants allocation, Cr Paul Pratt urged community members to contact council staff now with their projects so they could be pointed in the right direction.
"We're here to listen and we're here to manage priorities," Cr Pratt said. "Yes, we're not going to get everything in the first budget. In four years that I'm here, I hope I can manage as many priorities as I can."
The draft budget will be presented to tomorrow night's council meeting for endorsement.