Draft Operational Plan and Budget on exhibition
Wingecarribee Shire Council is seeking comment from the community after Councillors endorsed the draft Operational Plan and Budget at last week’s Council Meeting.
The draft Operational Plan 2020/21 includes the Budget, Revenue Policy and Fees and Charges for the year ahead and went on public exhibition as of Friday 29 May 2020.
Wingecarribee Shire Council General Manager Ann Prendergast said the documents were an opportunity for residents to comment on Council’s program of works.
“The Operational Plan is one of our most important documents as it outlines Council’s budget and proposed activities for the year ahead,” she said. “It also helps us to allocate the financial, physical and human resources to meet upcoming projects.”
“These projects stem from our four-year Delivery Program, which has been developed in response to our Community Strategic Plan – Wingecarribee 2031.”
These Plans are structured around Council’s five central themes of Leadership, People, Places, Environment and Economy.
Highlights from the budget include $67.5 million to be spent on capital works projects in the year ahead including:
- $9.9 million on improving community buildings,
- $23 million on renewing roads, bridges and footpaths,
- $10.4 million on upgrading the sewerage network,
- $11 million on improving the water supply network, and
- $2.9 million on modernising the Southern Regional Livestock Exchange and Resource Recovery Centre.
Also included in the report are the budgetary details of the remediation works for the Mittagong Memorial Hall, playground replacement works for Seymour Park and an allocation of $5.2 million for the establishment of a dedicated Animal Shelter Reserve.
Ms Prendergast said the impacts of both the bush fires and COVID-19 pandemic had also been factored into the Operational Plan and Budget.
“The pandemic in particular has required us to review our budget position, and in some cases delay the commencement of works or temporarily suspend certain programs.”
The draft documents will be on exhibition until Friday 26 June 2020 and can be viewed online at www.yoursaywingecarribee.com.au.
Feedback and submissions can be made via:
- email at mail@wsc.nsw.gov.au
- complete an online submission form at yoursaywingecarribee.com.au
- in writing addressed to the General Manager at PO Box 141, Moss Vale, NSW 2577.
“We believe the projects and priorities detailed in this year’s Operational Plan and Budget to be the most significant in recent years and I would encourage all residents to provide us with feedback, because ultimately, these documents will help to set the future course of our Shire.”
All feedback and submissions must be made by 4.30pm Friday 26 June 2020.
Following the close of the exhibition period, a final report considering submissions will be presented to Council.