Capital works of $24m expected in adopted budget

GUNNEDAH Shire Council has adopted its operational plan with capital works of $24m anticipated this financial year.

Elected members endorsed the plan at the June ordinary meeting after the draft had been released for public consultation in early May.

The plan details the works and services the council intends to undertake during the financial year. The fees and charges schedule contain details on all fees it intends to charge and recover for services provided, other than services provided on an annual basis, which are covered by an annual charge.

After these documents were placed on public exhibition, some minor amendments were made in response to employee and councillor feedback and additional information made available, including Office of Local Government circulars.

No submissions were received during the public exhibition period of 28 days.

As part of the plan, the council is in its second year of the special rate variation with a detailed list explaining where the extra rate revenue will be allocated.

Core council infrastructure works will be the main beneficiary of the extra funds through road resheeting, stormwater asset renewal, road resealing, pavement renewal, parks and gardens works as well as other renewal works.

For the 2026–27 financial year, the council is projecting total expenditure of $66m.

After grants and contributions, it has budgeted for a $2.7m deficit for 2026–27 with projected surpluses in the following three financial years.

A report tabled at the June meeting by corporate services director Kelly Stidworthy said the council had been in a similar position to that of many NSW councils facing a poor financial outlook caused by a perfect storm of negative impacts resulting from natural disasters, high inflation, and legislative ‘cost-shifting’ by the NSW and Australian governments.

“The current financial outlook for Gunnedah Shire Council has improved following the approval of council’s SRV application by IPART,” her report read.

“In the past few years, Gunnedah Shire Council has made a concerted effort to identify cost savings to delay the need for an SRV.

“Every effort will continue to be made to streamline operations and find ways to save money and improve efficiency in accordance with council’s resolved position to strive to achieve $930,000 of savings and efficiency gains.”