The budget, formally adopted on Tuesday morning, will result in a total increase of 4.84 per cent in rates and charges.

The waste infrastructure charge remains at $25, with the garbage charge reduced from $179 to $160.

Council's inability to secure more State Government funding for the Gippsland Regional Sports Complex means total council expenditure on services and new works for the coming year will be $66.6 million.

Of this, $34.7 million will be raised from rates, with most of the remainder coming from government grants.

About $26.1 million in road, bridge and other works feature in the budget.

Councillor Jeff Amos said it was necessary for council to invest in capital works to help stimulate the local economy.

"We have a large infrastructure gap in Wellington Shire, and we cannot afford to let our assets fall apart because of a lack of investment,'' he said.

He said it was important for council to continue providing services during tough economic times.

"The recession means council is likely to experience increased demand for social, community health and recreational programs.

"We're also likely to see higher demands for home and community care,'' Cr Amos said.

"We are not recession-proof.

"We must continue to deliver high quality services and support the needs of our community,'' he said.

"However, we must also limit cost structures so we do not impose increased pressures on our ratepayers.

"This budget is designed to move our community forward.''

Cr Amos said the average rises (per property) were between 50 cents and $1.45 a week.

"I believe these figures make this budget both responsible and affordable,'' he added.

While the rate rise exceeds the annual CPI rise mayor Darren McCubbin said the 4.84 per cent increase in rates and charges was well below the statewide average of 5.16 per cent.

He said the Municipal Association of Victoria calculated the rise as just $11 per resident - the third lowest in the state.

"We have been extraordinarily conservative in terms of the rate increase,'' Cr McCubbin said.

"We understand that people are doing it tough.

"We understand the need to tighten our belts and we're certainly doing that, but at the same time creating services and capital works across the shire,'' he said.