Draft Integrated Planning and Reporting 2025-2029

Council is required to develop long, medium and short term plans that detail how the community’s vision, aspirations and priorities will be delivered via projects and services using the IP&R Framework to strengthen the linkages between community aspirations, financial capacity and practical service delivery.

This summary provides an overview of Council's IP&R documents for 2025-2029.

Combined Delivery Program 20265-2029 and Operational Plan and Operating Budget 2025/26

The Delivery Program (DP) is the four-year statement of commitments to the community from the elected Council. It details the principal activities and objectives that will guide Council to prioritise actions towards achieving the community’s priorities and goals as set out in the Community Strategic Plan.

The Operational Plan (OP) has been designed to enable a better understanding of the costs of Council services and how well Council delivers the projects and services it is responsible for. The OP is divided into the service areas of Council and contains 125 actions that directly align with objectives from the DP.

The draft operating result for in the 2025/26 financial year is budgeted to be a deficit of $3.1 million (consolidated) before capital grants and contributions. The operating budget indicates that Council is experiencing increased downward pressure on revenue with expected decrease in state and federal grants for the next financial year. A conservative forecast decrease in revenue from private works has also been assumed due to uncertainties in the market. Council has sufficient funds to be able to operate in the short term, but repeated deficits are not sustainable. Council’s financial goal is to fund existing service levels and infrastructure renewals whilst maintaining an operating surplus before capital grants and contributions

Draft Revenue Policy 2025/26

Outlines how Council will raise income to support its operations and community needs. This is achieved through a mix of sources, being rates, grants and contributions, fees and charges and other income such as interest on investments.

The Draft Revenue Policy includes a proposed rate pegging of 5%, as set by the Minister for Local Government

Draft Fees and Charges 2025/26

Sets out the fees that Council can charge for all services and programs. It has been prepared by assessing each fee for cost recovery and cost base increases.

The fees and charges are made up of fees provided under relevant legislation, fees determined by Council and recommendations from the Local Government Association of NSW.

Draft Resourcing Strategy

The Resourcing Strategy includes three (3) interrelated components:

1. Draft Long-Term Financial Plan (2025-2035) - The Draft Long Term Financial Plan (LTFP) is an important part of Council’s strategic planning process. The LTFP is where Council projects the financial realities of its ability to contribute to the community’s vision for the future. It outlines the pressures and economic drivers behind Council’s expected long-term future. Expected growth rates are aligned with community expectations of service delivery and community projects and the social outcomes outlined in the Community Strategic Plan. The LTFP must be for a minimum of 10 years and is updated annually in line with Council strategies. It extends on the operational budget contained within the Operational Plan for 2025-2026.

2. Draft Workforce Management Strategy (2025-2029) - The primary goal of the workforce planning process is to identify the right size, shape, cost, and capability for the workforce needed to deliver Council’s objectives as outlined in the Delivery Program 2025-2029

3. Draft Asset Management Strategy (2025-2029) - Council's Draft Asset Management Strategy sets out the framework for the lifecycle management of Council's physical assets and takes into consideration the “whole of life” approach which includes planning, procurement, construction, operation, maintenance and disposal of the asset. A key, ongoing issue facing local governments throughout Australia is the management of ageing assets in need of renewal and replacement.

We invite you to have your say on any or all of the draft documents using the feedback form below:

Submissions close at 11.59pm Monday 26 May 2025

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).