Port Macquarie-Hastings Council (PMHC) will enact its new financial plans after Councillors resolved to adopt the Operational Plan 2024-25 at Thursday's Ordinary Council Meeting
A total budgeted expenditure, (excluding depreciation and loss of disposal of assets), of $358.2 million, with total revenues expected to be $285.5 million was resolved, including $205.5 million in capital works projects. The Rates, Fees, and Charges for 2024-25 were also set, including a 0.0% Rate Peg and a determination to remove the Town Centre Master Plan (TCMP) component of Port Macquarie CBD Ordinary Business Rate. The proposed introduction of new fees and charges for sports ground use was not adopted.
Of the $205.5 million in capital works, major investment will be made across key projects right across the community with a $92.3 million investment in Port Macquarie - $50 million of which will be spent on the Ocean Drive Duplication, $35.5 million investment in Wauchope and surrounds, $7.5 million at Camden Haven and $8.9 million at Bonny Hills and Lake Cathie.
This large capital works program will see the delivery of continued core services in these regions including road, footpath, stormwater, parks, and gardens improvements as well as recreational and sporting facility upgrades.
Port Macquarie Hastings Mayor Peta Pinson said she was extremely proud to be able to deliver her seventh and final budget as Mayor.
"I am proud to see that core services are again a major component of this Operational Plan, with record spending continuing on roads, parks and garden maintenance, water and sewer which are the priority areas for our community," Mayor Pinson said.
"This is the last budget I will deliver before I retire as Mayor at the September Local Government Elections, and I am very proud to have been able to achieve a budget in line with the efficiency saving measures I set out to do so at the very start of this term.
"This budget also confirms a record spend on capital works that are much needed to progress with the agenda of core service delivery in major infrastructure and maintenance programs.
"I want to pay credit to CEO Dr Clare Allen and her staff for the hard work that has gone into the development of this budget. I have full faith in her ability to deliver it on behalf of the community."
PMHC CEO Dr Clare Allen said the adopted Operational Plan and budget will now allow for the delivery of services over the next 12 months.
"Councillors' decision to adopt the Operational Plan and budget is important as it now allows Council to begin the business of delivering for our community over the next 12 months," Dr Allen said.
"I want to take this opportunity to thank the community for their feedback during the Draft Operational Plan 2024-25 public exhibition period."
