Council Invites Community Feedback on Future Plans and Budget
Published on 29 April 2025
Council has endorsed the draft Integrated Planning and Reporting (IP&R) suite for 2025-2029 for public exhibition and is inviting community feedback.
The Draft IP&R suite outlines Council’s strategic direction for the next four years and includes the Combined Draft Delivery Program 2025-2029, Operational Plan, and Operating Budget for 2025/2026.
The Delivery Program outlines Council’s four-year commitments to achieving the community’s priorities under the Community Strategic Plan, while the Operational Plan breaks this down into 125 specific actions across service areas, detailing costs, key outputs, and service levels within allocated budgets.
Completing the suite are the Draft Revenue Policy 2025/2026, the Fees and Charges Schedule 2025/2026, and the Draft Resourcing Strategy 2025-2029.
The plans are designed to support the community’s long-term aspirations as outlined in the Snowy Valleys Community Strategic Plan – Towards 2042.
Mayor Julia Ham said the community’s input was crucial as the Council’s financial planning was an essential part of securing the future.
"Our draft budget reflects both the opportunities and the financial challenges we face," Mayor Ham said. "We need the community's feedback to make sure our plans and budget priorities align with their expectations."
The draft 2025-2026 Operational Budget forecasts a consolidated operating deficit of $3 million, before capital grants and contributions.
Acting General Manager Jessica Quilty said the deficit reflected several pressures.
"We are seeing the effects of the end of emergency management and emergency works grant funding, rate revenue that is not keeping pace with rising costs due to the rate peg, and higher depreciation expenses driven by increasing asset replacement costs,” Ms Quilty explained.
"We have also adopted a conservative forecast for private works income, reflecting uncertainties in the current market.
The draft Revenue Policy and Fees and Charges Schedule set out how Council proposes to raise revenue, with most fees adjusted in line with CPI to balance affordability and cost recovery.
Council’s financial planning is also tightly integrated with asset management and workforce strategies to ensure that the community’s infrastructure, facilities, and services are maintained to a high standard, now and into the future.
"These documents map out how Council will deliver key services, manage assets, and work to ensure financial sustainability over the next four years," Mayor Ham said.
“We are seeking community feedback to ensure our plans genuinely reflect the priorities and needs of our residents. I encourage members of the public to reach out to their councillors to discuss the plans in person and share their suggestions.”
The draft plans are on exhibition until 26 May 2025. Copies are available from Council’s website, public libraries in Tumut, Tumbarumba and Batlow, and Customer Service centres in Tumut and Tumbarumba.
Community members are encouraged to review the documents and share their feedback via Council’s website www.svc.nsw.gov.au/public-exhibition
The final IP&R documents must be adopted by 30 June 2025
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