Waratah-Wynyard Council is expected to adopt a budget that delivers a surplus for the eighth consecutive year at Monday nights’ Council meeting.
General Manager Shane Crawford says the budget reflects Council’s prudent financial management, dedication to responsible governance, and commitment to delivering value for the community.
“Council’s 2024 budget aims to deliver an underlying surplus of $0.604m (an operating margin of 3%), and a comprehensive result of $7.024m and despite the many and varied financial pressures throughout recent years has impressively delivered another underlying surplus position.”
“This budget reflects Council’s long-term vision and strategic financial planning and provides the financial stability necessary to fund future operational costs arising from the ambitious capital works program, in addition to investment in essential infrastructure, community programs and services that will benefit residents for years to come.”
The proposed capital works expenditure is $19.863m which includes $7.281m in new infrastructure spending, $6.072m in asset renewals, and $6.510m on upgrading existing assets. Many of the major projects are those commenced in this financial year and include:
- Stage 1 of the Wynyard Sporting Precinct;
- Final detailed design of the Boat Harbour Beach Masterplan;
- The long- awaited Coastal Pathway between Cooee and Wynyard;
- Further progression of the Cam River Reserve Master Plan which will feature improved pedestrian access features and complement the new Cam River Bridge and Anzac Park; and
- Installation of the new Waratah Bridge and viewing platform at the Waratah Falls will be completed to add and improve tourist attractions in the town.
Council will consider an increase in the General Rate of 3.75%, well below the Council Cost Index of 8.11% and well below current CPI (end of March Hobart annual figure 6.9%).
This continues a run of modest increases in recent years, with the average General Rate increase over the past five years just 2.27% compared with the Council Cost Index increasing by an average of 4.28% over the same period.
Waratah-Wynyard Mayor, Dr Mary Duniam, says Council has also developed an ambitious suite of annual plan actions to be delivered in 2023/24, with a focus on digital transformation, further recreational planning, establishment of an inclusion working group, delivery on Council strategies and plans and significant work on flood mitigation and environmental projects.
“Some of the work to be completed in the coming year of which I am particularly proud includes the implementation of a new Accessibility Strategy and formation of a new Accessibility working group. We are also exploring options for increased youth participation with council, the development of a Reconciliation Action Plan and an ongoing focus on
environmental guardianship. We are entering the fourth year of implementation of our award-winning Integrated Council Environmental Plan (iCEP), with the Strategic Environmental
Advisory Group now established and providing key recommendations to inform Council decision-making”
“As custodians of our environment, it is our duty to protect and preserve our natural resources for future generations. The Waratah- Wynyard Council is fully committed to implementing sustainable waste management practices that reduce our ecological footprint and create a cleaner and healthier community. Working together with our community we can make a significant positive impact on our environment.”
Council has seen significant cost increases in waste services and contracts over the past twelve months. These increases have been both in existing contracted collection services but also to commence new operational management of the Waste Transfer Station.
To ensure that Council maintains its position of full cost recovery for waste services, it is proposed to increase waste charges by 75 cents per week for properties receiving a weekly waste collection, 50 cents per week for those receiving a fortnightly collection and 25 cents per week for those ratepayers who do not receive a waste collection service.
These waste charges cover kerbside collection, recycling services, delivering the waste management centres and other municipal waste services.
Council will continue free entry to the Waste Transfer Station for all residents.
The stormwater service charge will increase 3.01% for Sisters Beach and Boat Harbour Beach and 2.89% for Wynyard and Somerset – both well below the Council Cost Index (8.11%).
Overall, Councils’ rates revenue in 2023/24 is projected to grow by $780,000, which takes into account movement in the general rate and growth within the community through supplementary rates.
In the most recently adopted version of the Financial Management Strategy, Council has increased its target cash balance to retain $5m on hand as of 30 June each year. The budgeted cash on hand as of 30 June 2024 is expected to be $5.498m.
“I am confident that Council is in a strong and sustainable financial position and that the 2023/24 budget delivers positive outcomes with a diverse range of projects that will benefit the whole Waratah-Wynyard community”, said Mayor Duniam.
Authorised for general media distribution by Shane Crawford, General Manager, Waratah-Wynyard Council on Thursday, June 15, 2023.