Annual budget and rates on June agenda
Published on 23 June 2023
At the June Council Meeting, Councillors will be asked to adopt the Integrated Planning and Reporting documents, which were placed on public exhibition from 21 April to 21 May 2023.
Additionally, Council will also be asked to set the rates and charges for the 2023-24 year, endorse the Kempsey Local Growth Management Strategy, and adopt the South West Rocks Structure Plan.
You can register to speak to Councillors at the Public Forum on Monday 26 June. The meeting is only held if there are registered speakers.
The Ordinary Meeting will be held in Council Chambers from 9am on Tuesday 27 June.
You can view the June agenda and business papers at Council meeting agendas & minutes.
The meeting will be live-streamed via Council's YouTube page and on the Kempsey Shire Council website.
Putting council on track for the future
The documents that make up Council's annual budget and financial planning for the coming 2023-24 financial year have been put out on public exhibition.
Submissions from the community have been considered, and an internal review conducted.
Council is now asked to adopt these documents. Some highlights to note are:
| Document Name |
Key Points |
Delivery Program 2022-26 and Operational Plan
|
Large capital works program $120M
|
| 2023-24 Revenue Policy 2023-24
Schedule of Fees and Charges 2023-24
|
Council delivers a wide range of chargeable services to the community.
These fees and charges have been reviewed - for more information, see the June Council business papers.
|
|
Long Term Final Plan 2023-33
|
The plan is made up of three funds:
General fund: forecast an operating deficit in 2023-24 of $2.4 million, forecast to accumulate to $103 million over the next 10 years.
Water fund: sustainable income forecast
Sewer fund: large program of capital works of nearly $250 million over the next 10 years. This will be funded by a combination of grant funding and borrowings.
Factors affecting ongoing financial sustainability include: costs increasing faster than income, limited opportunities to develop or increase revenue, need for greater investment in key functions, and increasing borrowing costs.
Planning has begun for an application for a Special Rate Variation to IPART (to increase rates for a set period of time).
|
More information on the Integrated Planning and Reporting documents can be found here.
Setting rates and charges for the year
Rates and charges allow Council to raise income for their yearly works and activities.
Council is asked to approve an increase in rates of 3.7%, which is the full amount allowed, and a 9% per annum interest charged on overdue rates. More detail on rates and charges can be found here.
Request for Council to approve the Local Growth Management Strategy
The draft Kempsey Local Growth Management Strategy was placed on public exhibition from 1 February to 14 March 2023, which included an extra 14 days as requested by the community.
The draft Strategy takes into account the predicted population growth across the Shire to 2041, aiming to make sure that enough suitable land and infrastructure is available, where it is needed, to provide for future residential and business needs. It is expected that the new draft Strategy will provide for future growth in the Shire until 2041. More information on the Strategy can be found here.
A sustainable future for South West Rocks and surrounds
The Draft South West Rocks Structure plan was also placed on public exhibition from 1 February to 14 March 2023, which included an extra 14 days as requested by the community.
South West Rocks is the main coastal town in the Kempsey Shire and is both an important tourist destination and a popular seachange location. Because of this, South West Rocks is experiencing the highest rate of residential growth in the Kempsey Shire, and that is expected to continue for the next 20 years. This growth must be managed carefully because of the pressure placed on infrastructure, services and facilities, as well as the challenges of protecting the town's natural and cultural assets. The Plan includes South West Rocks, Jerseyville, New Entrance, and Arakoon.
Find more information about the draft South West Rocks Structure Plan here.
Order of Business considered in open session
10.1. Integrated Planning and Reporting 2023-24
10.2. Making of Rates and Annual Charges
10.3. Loan Borrowings
10.4. Draft Local Growth Management Strategy
10.5. South West Rocks Structure Plan
10.6. Kempsey Local Infrastructure Contributions Plan
10.7. Draft Kempsey Airport Master Plan 2042
10.8. Works on Private Land
10.9. Short Term Rental Accommodation Strategy
10.10. Greenhill Lookout Concept Design
10.11. Statement of Cash and Investments - May 2023
More information
You can read the detailed agenda and reports in the business papers.
The meeting will be live-streamed via Council's YouTube page and on the Kempsey Shire Council website.