MIDCOAST Council’s 2023-24 annual Operational Plan, budget and fees and charges are on public exhibition for community feedback until 19 May.

“This plan, and our budget, shows the community what we will be delivering next financial year. The plan also shows how we will measure our performance against these commitments,” Mayor Claire Pontin said.

The Delivery Program and Operational Plan outlines seven areas of focus for Council:
● Climate actions
● Customer service
● Development assessment
● Economic development
● Local and regional roads
● Financial sustainability
● Culture

This year’s Operational Plan outlines infrastructure, environmental and community projects to be delivered, and activities to stimulate the local economy, improve the experience of the community when interacting with Council and to streamline the development assessment process.

“We look forward to delivering major road works to The Bucketts Way, Thunderbolts Way and The Lakes Way, with an upgrade of Cedar Party Creek Bridge.

“We also have money to continue our program of additional upgrading of local roads.

“Major infrastructure improvements are also underway, such as a new reservoir and water mains at Gloucester, completion of the new water treatment plant, and expansion of the bore field at Nabiac,” Mayor Pontin added
Council will continue to consolidate the new draft MidCoast Local Environmental Plan and Development Control Plan, and finalise its review of the Integrated Water Cycle Management Strategy.

“We will continue to look for better and more efficient ways of doing things and make the best possible use of our budget.

“We are constantly seeking additional NSW and Australian Government funding to bring more benefits to our region,” Mayor Pontin said.

“Our aim is to provide the best level of service possible within our budget.”

The 2023-2024 budget projects that Council will receive income from include continuing operations of $321 million which consists of $174 million in rates and annual charges, $58 million in user charges and fees, $9 million in interest and investment revenues, $6 million in other revenues, $33 million in operating grants and contributions and $41 million received for capital works through grants and contributions.

Its operating expenditure is projected to total $307 million which includes $111 million in employee costs, $9 million in borrowing costs (interest repayments), $86 million in depreciation on community assets and $101 million in materials, contracts and other expenses.

Council will undertake a capital works program of approximately $72 million which includes $60 million on transport infrastructure assets (roads, bridges, drainage, footpaths etc).

This amount includes approximately $11 million of works under the $100 million road program Council is undertaking in partnership with the State Government.

Expenditure of $15 million on sewer infrastructure and $30 million on water infrastructure is also proposed for 2023-2024.

Council will borrow approximately $11 million to meet its share of the 2023-2024 expenditure on the $100 million road program.

At the same time, it will reduce the principal outstanding on existing borrowings by $18 million.

“We recognise that we have considerable work to do to ensure our financial sustainability and this needs to start with removing any waste or inefficiencies and determining a more appropriate level of service in some areas.

“We have funded projects for next year to help us with these important decisions,” Mayor Pontin explained.

To read the 2023-2024 draft Operational Plan, annual budget, and proposed fees and charges, and to provide your feedback, please visit www.haveyoursay.midcoast.nsw.gov.au before the public exhibition period closes on Friday 19 May.