Published on 16 June 2023
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council (PMHC) will enact its new financial plans after Councillors resolved to adopt the Operational Plan (OP) and budget at Thursday’s ordinary council meeting
$200,000 will fund the detailed design of drainage at the Tuffins Lane Sporting Precinct, following a public exhibition period that resulted in strong support from the community for its inclusion in the OP.
Five of the nine councillors resolved to adopt the Rates, Fees and Charges for 2023-24, including a 4.7 per cent increase to the ordinary rates – which is in line with the recommended rate peg set by the independent regulator, IPART.
The total 2023-24 budgeted expenditure, (excluding depreciation and loss of disposal of assets), will be $331.5 million, with total revenues expected to be $268.2 million.
Of this, a $176 million will be spent on capital works projects including key water and sewer projects at Kew, Cowarra, Thrumster and Port Macquarie providing greater capacity for our networks to sustain the region’s ongoing growth.
The large capital works budget will also confirm the delivery of continued core services to the community including road, footpath, stormwater, parks and gardens improvements as well as recreational and sporting facility upgrades.
Port Macquarie Hastings CEO Clare Allen said the adopted OP and budget strikes the right balance between meeting the community’s needs and prudent investment in service and delivery.
“Councillors’ decision to adopt the Operational Plan and budget is important as it now allows Council to begin the business of delivering for our community over the next 12 months,” Dr Allen said.
“Despite having a balanced budget position, the 2023-2024 budget forecasts an operating loss of $2.7 million which has been driven by an operating loss of $11.1 million for the Council’s general fund. Factors impacting this include rising labour and material costs, economic volatility and cost-shifting from higher levels of government.
“Council will focus on returning to surplus by developing and implementing a comprehensive improvement plan including asset management planning, efficiency reviews of operational areas, enhanced technology solutions and more efficient procurement solutions.”
Port Macquarie Hastings Mayor Peta Pinson said she was extremely proud to be able to deliver her second budget of the current Council term.
“This Operational Plan and budget shows that we have listened to what the community has to say, with parks, roads, footpaths, sewer and water – the core services of Council’s business – again receiving widespread investment,” Mayor Pinson said.
“I am pleased to also see that work will commence on investigating drainage options for Tuffins Lane Sporting Precinct, which was a key focus area of our community consultation period. It is clear our community sees this as an important strategic recreational asset moving forward, and I look forward to seeing the design work progress.”
Council thanks the community for their input into the OP and budget over the public engagement period, noting that much of the feedback provided was supported in the adopted budget.
