Draft Financial Reserve Management Policy

This draft policy aims to provide the framework for the establishment and management of externally and internally restricited financial Reserves and unrestricted cash.

What are Reserves?

• Externally restricted cash reserves are held for the purpose for which they were received, including Developer contributions, Water Supplies, Sewerage Services and Domestic Waste. The use of externally restricted cash reserves is not optional, and Council must continue to manage these reserves to ensure that these funds are expended in accordance with their intended purpose and, where applicable, relevant legislation.
• Internally restricted cash reserves are different from externally restricted cash reserves in that their existence is controlled by the Council. These reserves are for specific works, services or initiatives that have been included in the Annual Budget or Long Term Financial Plan (LTFP), including employee leave entitlements, plant replacement, insurance and crown land management.

What is Unrestricted Cash?

• Unrestricted cash refers to monies that are not tied to a particular use. Unrestricted cash can be used for any purpose since it is not earmarked for a specific use and it is taken as an instant reservoir of the cash that can be used for the sudden monetary requirements. Unrestricted cash is extremely liquid that is why it can be use readily for any purpose when required.

We invite you to have your say on the Draft Financial Reserve Management Policy using the feedback form below.

• DRAFT Financial Reserve Management Policy

Submissions close on Sunday 25 October 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).