FINANCIAL STABILITY UNDERPINS SHELLHARBOUR CITY COUNCIL'S 2024-25 BUDGET

Shellharbour City Council last night adopted the 2024-2025 budget with a firm focus on financial sustainability while continuing to support all services in the community.

Councillors adopted the budget, which has reduced Council’s annual deficit from $11.3 million to $3.8 million.

Chief Executive Officer Mike Archer said the Council had worked diligently over recent months to prepare a budget that aligns with the Community Strategic Plan (CSP) and Delivery Plan (DP) but also centres on managing within our means.

“As part of Council’s focus on financial responsibility, we have taken a deep dive into the budget and developed programs and services that provide a range of continuing and new initiatives that support the delivery of the Community Strategic Plan as well as the Delivery Plan and Operational Plan,” Mr Archer said.

“We’re continually looking at ways to improve the efficiency of our service delivery and innovate to ensure service standards are met in an efficient way so that the Council is financially sustainable. That is, today’s council decisions don’t create a burden for future generations.”

“This has included increasing internal resourcing to reduce costs which has the dual benefit of local jobs at a lower cost as well as greater control over the quality of our service delivery. We have also reduced unnecessary expenditure and are working with a delivery program of works and services that is achievable to stop.

“We will continue to look to increase our grant funding to reduce the reliance on rates revenue.”

In 2024-2025, Council is proposing to deliver $58.9 million in capital works including:

• $12.9 million on buildings and improving aquatic facilities
• $2.2 million within business units (including Shell Cove, Airport, Holiday Park and The Links) to increase our anticipated return of revenue on these business units
• $9 million on open spaces (including play, fitness equipment, parkland and sporting facilities)
• $2.7 million on plant equipment and other assets
• $28 million on transport (including improved roads and footpaths)
• $3.4 million on storm water management improvements in response to flooding events
• $700,000 on waste management improvements

Mayor Chris Homer said having a disciplined budget was crucial to ensure the long-term sustainability of Council.

“I understand that cost of living pressures are impacting many people across our community,” Mayor Homer said.

“We have developed a responsible budget that keeps rates at the IPART recommendation of 6.2 per cent and aligns our fees and charges with inflation. The Council has also expanded the voluntary pension rebate to all eligible pensioners, which will go to offsetting the 6.2 per cent increase to assist with the cost of living pressure.

“We have put considerable effort into balancing community aspirations for more of some services, while delivering on our legislative obligations and keeping the financial impact on community as low as possible.”

The Council’s Combined Delivery Program 2022-2026 and Operational Plan 2024–2025 and Rates Policy can be viewed at: www.shellharbour.nsw.gov.au or at the Civic Centre.