Council has adopted an increased capital works budget for the next financial year by $50,000 from the publically exhibited capital works budget and allocated funding to major projects following community consultation on its three year Delivery Program and one year Operational Plan and Budget.

Council received 173 submissions during the exhibition period of the plan and has allocated, from the Shared Pathway and Footpath Program, $250,000 to Shaun Brinklow Park at Copacabana and $150,000 for the concept design and community engagement for the Tuggerawong Pathway including detailed design of stage 1. Council will also allocate $50,000 for design and community engagement for a skate park at the Peninsula, which has been added to the capital works program as grant funding was received for another project making funds available for the skate park.

Council agreed to hold a workshop no later than the end of August 2018 to review the progress of the Operational Plan in preparation for the Q1 Budget Review.

Mayor Jane Smith said this was the first Delivery Program and Operational Plan of the elected Council and was a contract with the community detailing how $561.47 million in essential services and an increased capital works budget of $199.83 million would be delivered for the community,

“The Delivery Program and Operational Plan helps shape our region as a whole and our local neighbourhood and I thank everyone who took the time to have their say during the exhibition period,” Mayor Smith said.

“We have listened to the community and made some changes to ensure the Plan reflects their needs and aspirations.

“Our community have told us, in the development of our first ever Community Strategic Plan (CSP) they want a smart, green and liveable region with a shared sense of belonging and responsibility.

“This first Delivery Program and Operational Plan of the elected Council will deliver that for our community.”

Budget Fast Facts

• $561.54 million operating income
• $561.47 million operating expenditure
• $64,462 operating surplus before capital grants and contributions
• $48.39 million capital grants and contributions
• $199.83 million capital works program

The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) has approved a rate peg increase of 2.3 percent for the 2018-19 financial year which Council has applied to its rating income to deliver essential services and capital works.  Council has been directed by the Minister for Local Government to maintain the rate paths that were in place for the former Councils before amalgamation until June 2020. This means rates levied will be calculated using the same methodology applied by the former Councils. “Your rates help us deliver the essential services we all need and value each and every day,” Mayor Smith said. “Council must keep in place the rate paths that were in place before amalgamation – that has been set by the State Government. “Council is always looking to partner with our State and Federal counterparts to find other sources of funding that we need to be able to deliver the services our growing community need now and in the future.” Changes to the fees and charges were adopted based on submissions received during public exhibition including the removal of and the reduction in some fees charged at 50+ Leisure and Learning Centres and changes in some statutory fees based on legislated increases such as Companion Animal registration fees. Council also endorsed a list fees to be publically exhibited before being brought back to Council for consideration.

Council agreed that the CEO would hold a meeting with representatives of the Sports Council to discuss a range of options including an hourly or seasonal lighting rate and a potential freeze on sporting fees and charges as at the 2017-18 fees and charges set for a period of three years.