De-amalgamation - Two-Council Financial Modeling
Council's revised Long-Term Financial Plan (LTFP) has been updated and includes initial financial modelling for the two proposed councils post-de-amalgamation.
The modelling shows that if current financial settings continue, both proposed councils would face ongoing operating deficits. For de-amalgamation to be approved, Council is required to demonstrate financial sustainability over a 10-year period (achieve a balanced budget or small operating surplus).
Four scenarios have been modelled for each proposed council. They range from no change to current settings through to a combination of rate increases, reduced spending on materials and services, and changes to annual charges and user fees.
The scenarios have been applied from FY2028/29 to help identify the financial settings required to achieve sustainable operating outcomes and maintain unrestricted cash balances at acceptable levels over the long term.
- For the proposed Northern Council, Scenario 4 is the only option that achieves financial sustainability and includes an annual special rate variation of 4.3 per cent, in addition to the ordinary rate peg, together with reduced expenditure and changes to fees and charges. (See pages 29-34 of the LTFP)
- For the proposed Southern Council, Scenario 4 is also the only option that achieves financial sustainability and includes an annual special rate variation of 9.5 per cent, in addition to the ordinary rate peg, together with reduced expenditure and changes to fees and charges. (See pages 35-40 of the LTFP).
Water Supply and Wastewater Funds will be separately modelled and are not included in this plan.
Have your Say - Two-Council Financial Modeling Survey
Community feedback on the initial ‘two-council’ financial modelling is critical to help us understand community priorities and the trade-offs between service levels, asset renewal, financial sustainability and affordability.
The community survey asks residents to consider:
- whether Council should increase revenue, reduce expenditure or use a combination of both;
- the balance between rates and service levels;
- the services and infrastructure that should be protected;
- services that could be reduced, delayed or delivered differently; and
- whether rate increases should be introduced gradually over eight years or more quickly over four years.
Your direct input through the survey will help us shape and refine the financial settings and allow more detailed activity and budget planning to continue. This is not the end of the process, but just the first stage. Community feedback will help shape and refine the scenarios, which will be presented back to the community for further feedback before they are considered for approval by Council.
We invite you to review the revised Long Term Financial Plan 2026-2036 and take the survey to provide your feedback.
Submissions close 11.59pm on Sunday 1 November 2026
Important information regarding your submission
Written submissions may be attached to the public report that is submitted to Council, unless you explicitly request you do not wish this to occur. They are subject to the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 and the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act (PIPPA).
