Following public exhibition, three key strategic and operational documents were adopted by Leeton Shire Council at its June Ordinary Council Meeting.
The adopted document suite comprises the 2024/25 Operational Plan, 2024/25 Budget, and the 2024/25 Revenue Policy (including the Schedule for Fees and Charges). Together, these documents guide Council's annual operations, with progress against the Operational Plan and Budget 2024/25 to be reported quarterly.
Further, at an Extraordinary meeting held on Monday,1 July 2024, Council also adopted an updated Long-Term Financial Plan (LTFP) prepared using a tried and tested LG Solutions LTFP model.
Mayor Cr Tony Reneker said with Council elections being held in September 2024, the Annual Plan and Budget in 2024/25 is largely focussed on business-as-usual, with a more modest general fund capital works program compared to previous years (valued at $16.88M). The IPART nominated rate peg of 4.5% has been applied.
"The biggest changes to the final budget compared to the exhibited drafts include the re-introduction of the Vance Estate Expansion with development costs now confirmed within the previously voted budget (at $5.55M) and the upgrade of the Mountford Park stage, to improve the roof, curtain and paint, at $60K funded from section 7.12 developer contributions," he said.
The 2024/25 financial year also marks the first year of the two-year rates rebalancing program aimed at improving fairness and equity across the rating categories, which will see the rate peg redistributed from Farmland onto Business for two years (only).
Council's IP & R Coordinator Monica Armanini thanked all residents who gave feedback during the public exhibition of the documents.
"We received twelve submissions on the documents, including seven responses through our online engagement portal 'Have Your Say' and five responses that were sent in via email. Additional feedback was also collected from the Councillor Catch-up Sessions in Whitton and Yanco. Submitters were invited to a public forum on June 12th to discuss their matters with the Councillors," she said.
In regards to the draft fees and charges (in response to submissions), Council slightly reduced the exhibited golf membership fees and the private swimming instructor fees, introducing a new seasonal fee for tertiary students coming home for the holidays to deliver swimming lessons to Leeton's children.
"There is currently a real shortage of learn-to-swim coaches and it is hoped that this new, lower fee will make the cost of delivering lessons more attractive to students who would like to offer private services to teach children to swim over their holidays," added Ms Armanini.
Council also confirmed the exhibited increases to waste, sewer and water charges at 3%, 3% and 7% respectively.
In regards to the LTFP, Mayor Cr Reneker said that achieving financial sustainability of Council's General Fund continues to pose a significant challenge and will need to be revisited by the new Council. The updated LTFP 2024 – 2034 makes no formal proposals to the community to consider changing rates income or service levels but forecasts costs over 10 years on the basis that current services / service levels are maintained. It also outlines alternative scenarios to close the funding gaps which will need to be reviewed during 2024/25 with the new Council.
"There has been no appetite to date from the Community or the Council to reduce services or service levels. The forecast rate pegs continue to fall short of matching inflation and covering award increases. The next Council will need to continue discussions with the community and management about getting Leeton Shire's fiscal challenges sorted," he said.
The 2024/25 Operational Plan, Budget, Revenue Policy (including the Schedule of Fees and Charges) and LTFP can be found on Council's website at www.leeton.nsw.gov.au
