Pathway to Sustainability

MEDIA RELEASE 8 December 2023

In August Council made the decision to start a conversation with the community about a proposed special rate variation (SRV) to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the organisation.

At the September meeting Council voted not to progress the SRV proposal. As a result, Council has now mapped out a pathway to sustainability, taking into account how Council operates, the environment in which Council operates, the needs of our community and our financial position.

Mayor Jess Jennings said Council will need to consider making savings and therefore reviewing and cutting services and initiatives across all areas of Council.

“A report going to the Council meeting on Wednesday 13 December will outline some of the items that are affected in the name of necessary budget repair in the short term,” he said.

Some of the projects and services to be affected for this current FY 22/23:

• Wellington Street Eglinton road reconstruction will not be completed and will be listed for the future budget.
• Reduction in paved footpath and cycleway maintenance (it should be noted that significant upgrades and renewals of Council’s footpaths have occurred via funding provided by the Federal Government’s LRCI Program including more than a million dollars for works around the CBD and surrounding areas.)
• Renewal of Bathampton Road will not be completed and will be listed for the future budget.
• Cancellation of New Year’s Eve Party in the Park
• Cancellation of Community Garage Sale Trail
• Reduced funding for Inland Sea of Sound Festival
• Reduction in print and newspaper advertising expenditures and subscriptions
• Reduction in tourism marketing programs
• Deferral of the Hill End residency program until 2024/25
• Cancellation of Environmental Sustainable Schools Program
• Cancellation of Environmental Education Program for this year
• Cancellation of Sustainable Living Expo
• Reduced Heritage Education Program for this year

Council will continue to report regularly to the community on progress being made to enhance Council’s sustainability.

MEDIA RELEASE 4 December 2023

Council’s New Year’s celebration Party in the Park which is usually held at the Adventure Playground has been cancelled for this year.

Mayor Jess Jennings said the decision was made due to Council’s current financial situation.

“While this event attracts some sponsorship, Council has not been able to attract the sponsorship required to fully fund this event,” he said.

“It was a tough decision to make but we need to look at our budget and this decision has saved Council $45 000.”

In November 2023, the Chairman of the Country Mayors Association, Cr Jamie Chaffey released a statement about the impact of escalating costs and cost-shifting on local government.

An extract of the statement is included below, and the statement in full can be read in the Document Library.

"Local government, the level of government closest to communities across New South Wales and Australia, is drowning under a wave of escalating costs, cost-shifting by state and federal governments, increasing responsibilities and ageing infrastructure.

People across New South Wales rely on their Councils to provide a clean water supply, remove their waste, provide and look after their local roads, assist in planning, provide airport facilities, cultural and community facilities, sporting fields, walking tracks, swimming pools, tourism and economic facilities, and so much more.

And yet the support, resources and funding available to local government is rapidly shrinking. Councils are having to take action to find the funds they need to continue to provide services through the only avenue left available to them – special rate variations."