For immediate release.
Council has placed its draft Delivery Program and Operational Plan, and Budget for the 2023/2024 financial year on public exhibition and is inviting residents to Have Your Say.
The Budget reflects an overall forecast surplus of $616,423 after depreciation is deducted. The operational expenditure budget will see $46,890,445 spent on services for the community. The total forecast expenditure budget inclusive of capital works is $77,790,588.
The draft documents are part of an integrated framework where the Budget and revenue policy support the Delivery Program and Operational Plan, and demonstrate how Council will achieve the vision of its Community Strategic Plan;
'a vibrant region to live, enjoy and grow that is inclusive, resilient and progressive'
The documents have been prepared after extensive workshops with Councillors and Council's Executive Leadership team over previous months.
Mayor Doug Batten says
"Council is excited to forecast a total capital works budget of $30,900,143, along with the $46,890,445 towards services for the community for 23/24.
The capital works program is aspirational, and is the highest on record for Gilgandra. The budget includes infrastructure, activation and strategic projects that will have great community benefits, both now, and for future generations, promoting Gilgandra as a vibrant region with resilient and innovative infrastructures that capitalise on opportunities for economic growth."
The budget shows the aspirations of Council towards the growth of Gilgandra Region towards a population of 5000, while ensuring our valuable services for the community continue. The critical infrastructure for growth supports this, and planning for challenges faced such as housing, health, road network, technology and community resilience.
Major Capital Works for 2023/24 include:
- National Park Road $4.9M
Construct 12.5km of new bitumen seal to the unsealed sections of National Park Road
- Baronne Creek Crossing Upgrades $1M
Replacing the Baronne Creek crossing on National Park Road
- Development of Industrial Land Subdivision $5M
Purchase and servicing of additional industrial land to meet current and future demands
- Development of Aeropark Residential subdivision $2.5M
Providing 34 new residential housing lots to address the housing shortage in Gilgandra
- Inland Rail Housing Project $7M
Constructing 14 new dwellings to service the housing needs of Inland Rail and essential health and education services
- Major IT upgrades $1.9M
Modernising and rationalising Council IT capacity, network communications, business continuity, and increasing community resilience in the event of a major natural disaster
- Design New Sewer Treatment Plant $1.1M
Undertake detailed planning and design of a new sewerage treatment plant to meet the needs of our growing community, with construction expected to commence in 2024/25 at an estimated cost of $16M
- Plant $1M
Planned replacement of major plant, vehicles and key equipment across Councils fleet
- Upgrade Sewer Mains $345k
Planned ongoing renewals of Councils aging sewer infrastructure
- Additional Rural Road Renewals $283k
Additional capital renewals of Councils road network set aside for this purpose on an annual basis
- Smart Water Meter Installation $250k
Progressing the replacement of existing meters across the network to improve efficiency.
A number of strategic planning and activation projects have also been identified, including:
- Investigating Child Care options for the retention and attraction of Council workforce needs
- Growing our population towards 5000
- Undertaking a Land Use Planning Review
- Developing a Greening Strategy
- Delivering ongoing road restoration works from the multiple from the Natural Disaster Claims
- Real Country Business Case and Strategy Development
- Under The Gums major event
- Developing Plans of Management for Tooraweenah and Armatree
Adding,
"On the back of some very wet and challenging years for the local road network, Council has committed to a broad range of renewal works and new road projects. The highlight is Council will be constructing 12.5km of new bitumen seal to the unsealed sections of National Park Road. At the completion of these works, complemented by the upgrade to Baronne Creek Crossing, National Park Road will be fully sealed and will provide better all-weather access to producers, for school bus routes and tourists accessing the Warrumbungle National Park.
In total, $5.8M will be spent on National Park Road".
There are proposed increases to Council's fees and charges in line with the NSW Governments Rate Pegging legislation and Best Practice Pricing, ensuring Council can continue to deliver these services and support ongoing maintenance and asset renewal into the future.
2023/24 RATES & CHARGES
- General Rates
The total General Rates that will be levied by Council in 2023/24 will be $5,667,041 prior to concessions, which is an increase of 3.7%.
All rating categories (being farmland, residential and business) have had the increase applied evenly however ratepayers' individual accounts will vary according to any changes in land valuations.
- Water & Sewer Charges
Council water charges for the Gilgandra township and the Tooraweenah village have been increased by 5%. Council sewer charges for the Gilgandra township have increased by 7%. The increases in the township water and sewerage charges is a reflection of costs to replace aging infrastructure.
- Waste Management Charges
Council domestic waste, commercial waste and other waste charges for the Gilgandra township have increased by 2%. The rural waste charge has remains at $22. The increases are required for the continued operations and future projects at the Gilgandra Waste Facility.
- Stormwater Charge
The stormwater charge for the Gilgandra township has not increased and remains at $25 per rating assessment.
In summary, Mayor Doug Batten says
"Council has committed to a broad range of renewal works and new road projects, providing improved access to users of the local road network. As well as major intergenerational infrastructures, with a long term future focus of ensuring the community is in the best position to benefit from major construction projects, such as Inland Rail"
"What's most pleasing about this budget is that Council is able to deliver a wide program of works whilst still maintaining the valuable services our community has come to expect."
Mayor Batten acknowledges the work that has been put into the strategic planning and budgeting process.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank both Councillors and staff for their efforts in putting this Delivery Program and Operational Plan, and Budget together by way of workshops over a number of months in the lead up to the preparation of the draft documents."
"I should point out that while Council is budgeting for a surplus result this year of $616,423, over the next ten (10) years of our Long Term Financial Plan, Council is projecting an overall surplus of $16M. The long term result is dependent on the continued support from State and Federal Government, and I'm pleased to advise the community that Council continues to operate in a financially sustainable manner, meeting all of its financial benchmarking ratios."
The draft Plans are on public exhibition from Monday, 22 May 2023 to 5.00pm on Monday, 19 June 2023 including:
- Draft Delivery Program and Operational Plan and Budget 2023/24 – 2024/25
- Draft Long Term Financial Plan 2023/24 – 2031/32
These documents are available in electronic format and can be downloaded from Council's website: www.gilgandra.nsw.gov.au
Copies will also be available for viewing at the following locations:
- Government Access Centre, 20 Miller Street, Gilgandra
- Gilgandra Shire Library, Warren Road, Gilgandra
- Gilgandra Shire Council, Warren Road, Gilgandra
To share your views on these documents the community can:
- Complete a Have Your Say form online via Council's website
- Provide feedback in-person:
- Service NSW
- Warren Road Offices
- Write to the General Manager, 15 Warren Road
