Following community consultation, Hornsby Shire Council last night adopted its 2023-2026 Delivery Program and 2023/24 Operational Plan (DPOP) incorporating the Budget, Rating Structure and Fees and Charges for 2023/24. These documents outline the key initiatives and levels of service to be provided to the community in a prudent and financially viable manner.
Following the challenges of recent years, Council is focused on remaining financially strong and building a resilient Shire, well prepared for a growing population. Hornsby Shire Mayor, Philip Ruddock AO said that in the coming year, the community can look forward to seeing a range of upgrades to essential services.
"For 2023/24, we look forward to delivering tangible results for the community, committing over $93 million in capital projects, largely funded by external grants and development contributions. As well as progressing our major projects at Hornsby Park, Westleigh Park, and the Asquith to Mount Colah Public Domain Improvements, we'll make improvements to local roads, footpaths, drainage, parks, sporting facilities, bushland and waterways for the benefit of all residents," said Mayor Ruddock.
By adopting the Rating Structure, Council also determined to apply the first year of the four-year Special Rate Variation approved by IPART. For more than 10 years, Council has avoided a rate increase for its residents by focusing on cost containment and making savings of over $6.2 million per year. However, to ensure that Council can continue to support and provide the community with the levels of service it has come to expect through maintaining financial sustainability, it had little option but to apply the SRV at this time.
"We reluctantly put forward the application to IPART to have the rate increase approved, and an independent objective evaluation substantiated what we are seeking to. We don't do it with any alacrity, we are very reluctant," Mayor Ruddock continued.
"For the past year, we have been making difficult decisions and taking necessary steps to rebalance our future financial capacity within acceptable levels. We reluctantly sought approval for a rate increase on this occasion. It is important that people know that the only reason that we did that, was to ensure that we could continue to maintain the level of services that are expected now and into the future."
"While these decisions have not been easy, the choices we have made have been fiscally responsible to ensure we meet our legal obligation to manage our budget responsibly. We look forward to maintaining financial sustainability for Hornsby Shire."
To address concerns in the community around financial hardship, Council adopted a revised Hardship Policy. Following a review, the Special Circumstances section of the Policy has been broadened and the revised Policy includes all relief that is legally permissible according to the Local Government Act.
Further, the pensioner rate concession will increase by $50, to $300 per annum, commencing from the 2023/24 financial year.
The 2023-2026 Delivery Program and 2023/24 Operational Plan was on public exhibition from 13 April to 15 May 2023. 67 submissions were received from the community.
Also at last night's meeting, Council adopted the draft Property Strategy following community consultation.
The full agenda of the meeting, along with details of each item discussed, can be found at hornsby.nsw.gov.au. The video recording of the meeting will be available from tomorrow afternoon.
