IT’S TIME TO HAVE YOUR SAY ON COUNCIL’S DRAFT 2023/2024 BUDGET
Dubbo Regional Council’s (DRC) draft 2023/2024 Budget, Delivery Program and Operational Plan and other associated documents are now on public exhibition with submissions welcome until 5pm, Monday 29 May 2023.
The draft documents are part of Council’s integrated planning and reporting framework where the budget and revenue policy support the delivery program and operational plan. The documents act as Council’s road map for the next 12 months and demonstrate how Council will work towards achieving the community vision in the Towards 2040 Community Strategic Plan.
Over the past 12 months Council’s operating costs have been increasing due to the current economic climate and restrained decisions are being made to ensure the long-term financial sustainability for the region.
“The opportunity for the community to have their say comes at a great time with the recent launch of ‘Your Say’ community engagement platform. Information on topics of interests about the draft budget and operational plan will be presented to the community on social media throughout May to encourage the community to engage, participate and provide feedback during the consultation period.
The draft 2023/2024 Budget, Delivery Program and Operational Plan can be viewed online at yoursay.dubbo.nsw.gov.au, alternatively hard copies are available to be viewed in the Council’s Customer Experience Centres in both Dubbo and Wellington and the Dubbo and Wellington branches of the Macquarie Regional Library. Submissions are welcome online by 5pm, Monday 29 May 2023.
“Council staff have prepared a financially disciplined draft budget with the focus on ensuring long-term financial sustainability for our region. Being measured with expenditure now is a vital step to managing the increasing costs associated with running Council’s current programs and service levels,” Mayor of Dubbo Regional Council Mathew Dickerson said.
“The draft budget is required to support the delivery of Council’s required services but also deliver on what is important to the community.”
The long-term financial plan will ensure the current levels of service, plans for ongoing maintenance and asset renewal can be achieved into the future.
“The draft operational plan reflects the activities that Council has proposed to undertake in the next 12 months. It is designed to be a community-driven document that will deliver on the long-term community plan.”
Over the next 12 months Council will continue to focus on the renewal and reconstruction of key assets in the road network with $37.5 million allocated to repairing and rehabilitating roads damaged due to heavy rainfall and flooding. Some proposed road works projects include sections of Tamworth St, Wheelers Lane, Ballimore Rd and Burrendong Way. Heavy patching will also be undertaken utilising grant funding for several rural roads some of which include Saxa Rd, Collie Rd, Obley Rd and Mogriguy Rd.
“Council has plans in place to ensure it’s continuing to provide its current level of service to the community along with the ongoing asset renewal and maintenance programs. However, as operating costs increase, we need to be restrained with expenditure to maintain these service levels and programs and ensure long-term financial security,” Chief Executive Officer of Dubbo Regional Council Murray Wood said.
“There are proposed increases to some of the Council’s fees and charges, to ensure Council can continue to deliver these services and support ongoing maintenance of facilities and asset renewal into the future.”
The proposed capital works program focuses on essential services and asset renewals over the next 12 months. There are a number of capital works projects that will be funded from external sources and will be progressed during this financial year.
Last Edited: 17 Jul 2023