Council eyes Government assistance

Published on 28 May 2020

Locals are invited to have their say on Council's draft 2020-21 Budget and updated Long Term Financial Plan.

Both items were considered at last night's Monthly Meeting of Council, with Councillors having to decide whether to access the NSW Government's $395 million Stimulus Package for Local Government.

The package allows Councils affected by the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) to access a $10 million loan at a fixed interest rate of 1.85% over 10 years to help them recover from the affects from the pandemic.

Councillors last night gave in-principle support to accessing the Government funds, and voted to put the Budget and Long Term Financial Plan on public display for submission.

Council lost approximately $2.3 million this financial year due to the virus, with most of the losses related to reduced income at the airport and other Council facilities and impacts to Council's investments.

Mayor Darriea Turley AM said it was prudent that Council to take advantage of the Government's assistance package.

"The NSW Government has made this money available because it wants Councils to get back on their feet, get back to work on infrastructure and projects, and stimulate local economies in the wake of the pandemic," said Mayor Turley.

"Like many other Councils across the State, we'll be looking at reduced services to the community and possible job cuts if we don't accept the olive branch that has been extended to us.

"We are still in very uncertain times regarding this pandemic so it makes perfect sense to bolster our finances while we can with the assistance of the State Government.”

Mayor Turley said the $10 million would help ensure major projects could go ahead in coming years, including an upgrade of Queen Elizabeth park to incorporate the Picnic Train, a redevelopment of the O'Neil Sporting Complex, and a redevelopment of the CBD to include lighting and banner poles, more trees and greenery, and spaces for pop-up businesses.

"We considered several scenarios regarding our finances, and if we don't take advantage of this $10 million we will remain in deficit until at least the middle of the decade and be unable to carry out major projects or further improve our infrastructure.

"Major projects and infrastructure works are crucial to our local economy, and I would hate to see our city stagnate over the next ten years because we lacked the courage or humility to accept the assistance being offered by the Government."

In other budget matters Council proposed raising rates in line with the 2.6% rate peg set by IPART which will result in an overall increase in rate revenue of $400,000.

Council again declined to continue with the previous strategy of shifting mine rates onto residents, providing residential rates respite of around $160,000.

Council's Budget and Long Term Financial Plan can be found on pages 61 and 164 of this month's business papers respectively.

Those wishing to lodge a submission around either matter can do so here.

An FAQ providing further information around the Budget and Long Term Financial Plan can be found here.