DRAFT 2023/24 Annual Operational Plan, Budget, Long-Term Financial Plan and Revenue Policy (including Fees and Charges)

We look forward to hearing back from residents and ratepayers about the DRAFT 2023/24 Annual Operational Plan and Budget which are currently on public exhibition. The suite of DRAFT documents includes Council’s Revenue Policy (incorporating Fees & Charges) and an updated Long-Term Financial Plan.

The DRAFT Operational Plan 2023/24 provides a thorough overview of the vast range of services Council delivers. Structured across 50 functional areas that report through to the Senior Management Team who then report to Council, the organisation is set to deliver over 184 actions that collectively help achieve a strong community, healthy environment, and thriving economy.

While Council is forecast to have consolidated cash reserves of $43M by the end of 2023/24, achieving financial sustainability of Council’s General Fund remains a significant challenge and must be addressed as part of responsible governance. IPART has issued a rate peg of 3.7%, which, once again, doesn’t nearly match inflation. Council plans to have further conversations with community in the latter half of 2023 about achieving financial sustainability exploring all options. Of course, management will continue to seek efficiencies through service reviews, where possible, being mindful that the organisation must be sufficiently resourced to deliver Council’s adopted plans and statutory responsibilities.

HAVE YOUR SAY

SUBMISSIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY COUNCIL BY 5PM, THURSDAY, 25 MAY 2023.

Council has arranged a series of community information sessions at different times and different locations across the Shire from 3 May 2023. Dates and times for the community information sessions are:

Any feedback received will be considered by Council at a public forum and workshop scheduled for 7 June 2023, ahead of Council’s final decision at the June Ordinary Council Meeting.