Council releases its 2020/21 budget for public display

Published on 25 May 2020

At its meeting on 19 May 2020, Council considered and approved a draft Budget and Operational Plan for the coming twelve months.  The draft Budget was prepared after extensive workshops with Council and management staff and reflects an overall forecast deficit of $316,278.

The operational expenditure budget will see $33,159,909 spent on services for the community and $829,992 used to pay down debt. The total forecast expenditure budget is $47,692,319, which includes an extensive Capital Works Program for 2020/21 totalling $13,702,418.

Major works planned in 2020/21 include: 

  • Replacing Lucas Bridge
  • Renewal & Upgrade of the Gilgandra Cultural Precinct (Coo-ee Heritage Centre)
  • Renewal & Upgrade of the Gilgandra Shire Library
  • Commencement of the GrainCorp Subdivision
  • Continuation of projects associated with the Stronger Country Communities Grant Fund
  • Electronic Signage
  • Planning for the Combined Sports Centre
  • Footpath and Ramp Upgrades
  • Tooraweenah Dump Point
  • Tree Nursery
  • Water & Sewer Telemetry Upgrade
  • Water Treatment Plant Business Case
  • Significant progress into designing a New Sewer Treatment Plant
  • Further Room upgrades at Cooee Lodge

A number of other smaller projects have been identified and are also included.

Excluding the costs to replace Lucas Bridge and the outcomes from the Natural Disaster Claim, which remain unknown, Council will spend $6.18M on the roads within the Shire.

RATES & CHARGES

General Rates

The total General Rates that will be levied by Council in 2020/21 will be $5,210,920 prior to concessions, which is an increase of 2.6%.

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 3.5%.  The rural waste charge has increased by $1 from $21 to $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 summarising the budget, Mayor, Cr Doug Batten says:

“Council’s budget this year continues to provide a wide range of services to the community with a focus on value for money especially the current situation with COVID-19 it is Council’s focus to maintain a strong financial position for our community. Council is also very conscientious of the need to maintain and renew essential public infrastructure to ensure it continues to meet the needs of the local community.”

Adding:

“Highlights of this year’s budget include ongoing significant Capital Works expenditure as a result of opportunities offered by the NSW State Government under its Stronger Country Communities, Regional Growth Fund, Regional Cultural Fund and Infrastructure grants. Projects associated with this funding include commencement of the renewal and upgrade of the Cooee Heritage Centre and surrounding cultural precinct, development of the new Gilgandra Shire Library and Community Hub in Gilgandra’s main street, installation of updated shire signage and CBD Activation.

“In addition, Council’s budget includes specific focus on the renewal of Lucas Bridge, with an amount of $2,000,000 included to carry out the replacement of Lucas Bridge which is part funded by a loan of $1,460,000 plus a contribution from Council cash reserves of $840,000. This renewal work has been part of Council’s Long Term Financial Plan.”

“Council will continue to invest significant funds, as we have done in previous years, to continue to maintain and renew our roads.”

Mayor Batten acknowledges the work that has been put into these plans:

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank both Councillors and staff for their efforts in putting this 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 deficit this year of $316,278, over the next ten (10) years of our Long Term Financial Plan Council is projecting an overall surplus of $10.8m. I’m also pleased to advise the community that Council continue to operate in a financially sustainable manner, meeting all of its financial benchmarking ratios.”

Council invites written feedback from the community regarding these Budget and Operational Plans via mail (PO Box 23, Gilgandra), email council@gilgandra.nsw.gov.au or by visiting Council’s website www.gilgandra.nsw.gov.au/Have-your-say. A copy of the documents will also be available for viewing at Service NSW, 20 Miller Street, Gilgandra.

Submissions close 5pm on Monday 22, June 2020.

Contact:       
Neil Alchin
Director Corporate Services
Phone: 02 6817 8800

 

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