Councillors adopt Integrated Planning and Reporting documents
Wingecarribee Shire Councillors last week unanimously voted to adopt Council’s revised collection of Integrated Planning and Reporting documents.
Included in these documents are the Community Strategic Plan, Resourcing Strategy, Delivery Program and Operational Plan. Also included within the collection is the 2017/18 Budget and Revenue Policy which includes this year’s Fees and Charges.
Wingecarribee Shire Council General Manager Ann Prendergast explained the importance of these documents.
“These documents provide a blueprint for the future direction of our Shire and the jobs and projects that Council intends on tackling,” she said. “They highlight our immediate and long-term program of works and detail where we plan on prioritising funds.”
The Community Strategic Plan in particular is a key document which identifies the local community’s aspirations and priorities.
“These documents were reviewed and developed following more than six months of community engagement including surveys, staff workshops and a Community Reference Panel,” Ms Prendergast said.
“The subsequent adoption of these documents now lays a solid platform for Council, in conjunction with our community and other agencies, to deliver on a host of agreed priorities.
“Importantly, they also detail what financial, physical and human resources will be needed to meet these projects and priorities.”
“This announcement effectively provides the green light for Council to embark on a $187 million infrastructure renewal and improvement program over the next four years.”
As part of the program $95 million will be directed to water and sewer infrastructure improvements, including $48 million towards the upgrading of Bowral and Moss Vale Sewage Treatment plants. $46 million will be allocated towards roads, bridges and footpaths. A further $17.1 million will be spent on community buildings and recreation areas while $12.6 million has been set aside for stormwater drainage.
Included in this program of works are a number of signature road renewal projects including sections of Old South Road, Wilson Drive, Throsby Street, Exeter Road, Merrigang Street and Church Street in Burrawang.
Other significant projects to be funded as a result of the program include the $3.4 million refurbishment of Bowral Memorial Hall, the $1 million repair of Mittagong Swimming Pool and essential rectification works of Council’s Moss Vale Civic Centre.
Also detailed within the Delivery Program 2017-2021 are seven strategic priorities to ensure Wingecarribee Shire is a better place to live, work and visit.
“These priorities emerged from a series of discussions we had with hundreds of local residents through workshops, surveys and meetings,” Ms Prendergast said.
The Strategic priorities include Responsible financial management, Improving our community assets, Protecting our natural environment, Delivery of significant infrastructure projects, Better service alignment and delivery, Business transformation and Community wellbeing.
“These priorities will be delivered over the life of our four-year Delivery Program and will be a key driver of decision making during this term of Council.”
Councillors adopted the Integrated Planning and Reporting documents at the Ordinary Council Meeting of Wednesday 14 June 2017.
The documents are a requirement of the Local Government Act 1993 which requires Council to review its suite of community planning and budgeting documents within the first year of a new term of Council.
“Every single town and village across the Shire will be the beneficiary of this announcement,” Ms Prendergast added.
“It will be without doubt one of the largest infrastructure renewal and improvement programs our Shire has ever seen.”