The council received 23 written submissions and 120 community projects were identified at seven meetings held across the shire.

The council's director of corporate services, Chris Cowley, said townships wanted a high focus on town maintenance and presentation.

"Council has around $1.5 million to allocate towards capital works and projects," Mr Cowley said.

Mr Cowley said that councillors would have a significant challenge to decide which submissions to include in the 2006/2007 budget and which to include in the budget over the next five years.

Mr Cowley said the residents were asked to contribute to the budget before it was formulated - a first for the council.

He said that community input was essential.

"Community attendance and participation increased (compared to last year)," he said.

"We went to the community (to be part of) our first step."

Mr Cowley could not comment on the specific requests from the community.

He said that councillors were meeting with council officers to prepare a draft budget which will be out out in May.

The budget will be exhibited for 14 days from May 16.

The council will formally adopt the budget on June 20.