Bridges, saleyards and water amongst front runners in Council’s budget

Published on 27 April 2022

Kempsey Regional Saleyards

A detailed program of works focusing on replacing and delivering renewed infrastructure and services to the Kempsey Shire is set to continue in 2022-23.

Kempsey Shire Council announced its draft Operational Plan for the 2022-2023 financial year on Tuesday at the April Ordinary Meeting of Council, which includes a massive $91 million planned in capital works expenditure.

This document is essentially Council’s equivalent of the Federal Budget and will be placed on public exhibition for a period of 28 days to allow feedback from the community. The feedback will then be reviewed, potential updates made to the document before being presented for final adoption in June.

Kempsey Shire Council Mayor, Leo Hauville, describes the Operational Plan as one of the most profound and important documents Council produces each year.

“This plan shows the community what projects Council are preparing to roll out next financial year and how this aligns with our medium and long-term strategic goals, that being our Delivery Program and Community Strategic Plan,” said Cr Hauville.

“The best thing about the Kempsey Shire is the people, which is why we strongly encourage residents to read through the proposed draft document and help Council deliver services to meet the community priorities in the next financial year. I encourage all residents to read the document and provide any suggested improvements.”

There will be opportunities for the public to engage with the Operational Plan and related documents during the exhibition period, being face-to-face or online through Your Say Macleay. Additionally, hard copies of these documents will be made available Council’s Customer Service Centre and Library branches.

Kempsey Shire Council General Manager, Craig Milburn, describes the Operational Plan as the key actions Council undertakes each year to achieve its intended objectives and plans for the shire.

“Of the $91 million planned capital works projects this financial year, just over $42 million of this is grant funded, which is great to see as the organisation’s ongoing transformation is helping to improve internal process and financial sustainability,” said Mr Milburn.

“Amongst the many projects planned, $32.5M will be spent improving the shire’s extensive road network and $6.3 million spent to refurbish and replace infrastructure at Kempsey Saleyards.

More of the key items outlined in the draft Operational Plan for 2022-23 include:

  • Replacing 56 timber bridges across the Macleay Valley
  • Developing new water treatment plants at Willawarrin and Crescent Head
  • Progressing the installation of an emergency water treatment plant at Stueart McIntyre Dam to safeguard water supply to Kempsey and Lower Macleay
  • Delivering components of the Verge and Eden Streets Sporting Complex and Kemp Street Sporting Complex projects.
  • Continuing the development of the Stuarts Point Sewerage Scheme
  • Sealing of Maria River Road with Port Macquarie-Hastings Council

Despite the upcoming by-election as ruled by the NSW Supreme Court, the current elected Councillors have the authority to place the documents on public exhibition and will review the submissions in adopting the suite of documents by 30 June 2022, as legislation requires.

The full suite of Integrated Planning and Reporting documents include:

  • Delivery Program 2022-26 and Operational Plan 2022-23
  • Revenue Policy 2022-23
  • Schedule of Fees and Charges 2022-23
  • Rates Maps 2022-23
  • Long Term Financial Plan 2022-32
  • Workforce Management Plan 2022-26
  • Strategic Asset Management Plan 2022-32
  • Digital Strategy.

These documents will be on public exhibition from Wednesday 27 April until 24 May 2022 through Your Say Macleay.

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