Draft Budget Development Policy

Share Draft Budget Development Policy on Facebook Share Draft Budget Development Policy on Twitter Share Draft Budget Development Policy on Linkedin Email Draft Budget Development Policy link

The Draft Budget Development Policy has been developed to provide a structured and transparent framework for developing the annual budget as part of the Operational Plan. The policy aims to enhance Council’s financial sustainability and improve resource allocation.

Key objectives of the policy include:

  1. Embedding sound financial management principles as required under Section 8B of the Local Government Act 1993.
  2. Ensuring each Council fund (General, Waste, Water, Sewer) remains independently sustainable.
  3. Targeting a surplus Net Operating Result before capital grants and contributions to enhance financial sustainability.
  4. Providing clear guidance on the roles and responsibilities of Councillors, the Executive, and staff in the annual budget process.

The policy has been informed in consultation with Office of Local Government Guidelines and Codes as well as a review of practices across other NSW councils to ensure alignment with best practices and legislative requirements.

Key Features of the Draft Budget Development Policy

Financial Sustainability:

  • Ensures all Council funds (General, Waste, Water, Sewer) are independently sustainable.
  • Targets a surplus Net Operating Result before capital grants.

Budget Development Parameters:

  • Aligns with the Integrated Planning & Reporting Handbook for NSW councils.
  • Incorporates the annual rate peg and considers the requirements of long-term works programs.
  • Requires detailed work plans for new budget items or increased service levels.
  • Prohibits the use of asset sale proceeds for operational expenditure.

Governance and Accountability:

  • Clearly defines roles for Councillors, the Executive, and staff.
  • Establishes robust monitoring and reporting mechanisms, including quarterly reviews and monthly budget updates.

Community Transparency:

  • Commits to open communication about financial performance and long-term planning.

Council is committed to ensuring that community resources under its control are used for approved purposes and that all risks to Council’s finances are properly managed.

Have Your Say

As a valued member of the community, we'd love your feedback. You can have your say in the following ways:

All submissions must be received by 5pm on 31 March 2025.

The Draft Budget Development Policy has been developed to provide a structured and transparent framework for developing the annual budget as part of the Operational Plan. The policy aims to enhance Council’s financial sustainability and improve resource allocation.

Key objectives of the policy include:

  1. Embedding sound financial management principles as required under Section 8B of the Local Government Act 1993.
  2. Ensuring each Council fund (General, Waste, Water, Sewer) remains independently sustainable.
  3. Targeting a surplus Net Operating Result before capital grants and contributions to enhance financial sustainability.
  4. Providing clear guidance on the roles and responsibilities of Councillors, the Executive, and staff in the annual budget process.

The policy has been informed in consultation with Office of Local Government Guidelines and Codes as well as a review of practices across other NSW councils to ensure alignment with best practices and legislative requirements.

Key Features of the Draft Budget Development Policy

Financial Sustainability:

  • Ensures all Council funds (General, Waste, Water, Sewer) are independently sustainable.
  • Targets a surplus Net Operating Result before capital grants.

Budget Development Parameters:

  • Aligns with the Integrated Planning & Reporting Handbook for NSW councils.
  • Incorporates the annual rate peg and considers the requirements of long-term works programs.
  • Requires detailed work plans for new budget items or increased service levels.
  • Prohibits the use of asset sale proceeds for operational expenditure.

Governance and Accountability:

  • Clearly defines roles for Councillors, the Executive, and staff.
  • Establishes robust monitoring and reporting mechanisms, including quarterly reviews and monthly budget updates.

Community Transparency:

  • Commits to open communication about financial performance and long-term planning.

Council is committed to ensuring that community resources under its control are used for approved purposes and that all risks to Council’s finances are properly managed.

Have Your Say

As a valued member of the community, we'd love your feedback. You can have your say in the following ways:

All submissions must be received by 5pm on 31 March 2025.

  • Survey

    Writing a submission is one way of sharing your views and opinions with Council. All submissions are considered before making a decision and your submission may be included in a report to Council.  

    This survey closes 5pm 31 March 2025.


    Note: Information collected via submissions and petitions is public information, this information may form part of Council reports or made public in their entirety subject to the provisions of the Local Government Act 1993 or the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (GIPA Act). You may request, in writing, that Council suppress the personal information in your submission from public release, if you consider that the personal safety of any person would be affected if the information was not suppressed Any such request will be dealt with in accordance with the GIPA Act and the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 

    Take Survey
    Share Survey on Facebook Share Survey on Twitter Share Survey on Linkedin Email Survey link
Page published: 03 Mar 2025, 09:05 AM