Council adopts 2019-2020 budget

Council at its meeting held on 16th May 2019 adopted the draft budget for 2019/2020 and Council continues on track towards a truly balanced budget by 2021.

The draft 2019/20 budget includes provision for further business cases to be prepared in relation to an indoor heated pool; a mining history museum; a main street restoration plan and a master plan for the West Wyalong airport and funding for new signage to the entry points to the Shire.

Council’s two business units being Waste Collection and Sewer will continue to operate with a cost neutral outcome.

Council is also continuing to place the rate income from the Lake Cowal Gold Mine into a community facilities and economic development reserve to ensure that if and when the mine ceases operation there will be no impact on council’s future operating budget.

Council also hopes to continue with its very successful grant applications which in the current financial period has already resulted in just in excess of $5,000,000 in grant income including: Council’s road network - $1,448,000; flood study for Ungarie - $100,000; cultural, business and sporting events - $140,000; CCTV cameras for the main street - $40,000.00; Stronger Country Communities Fund – Round 1 - $1,001, 238 and Round 2 - $1,337,997 and the Drought Communities Fund - $1,000,000.

These grants are in addition to the usual Roads for Recovery, Commonwealth Financial Assistance and the RMS Block grants.

The 2019/2020 draft budget shows a deficit of $665,186.00 after accounting for depreciation. However, Council’s operating budget is estimated to be a $7,774,425 surplus which again confirms Council’s ongoing prudent financial management of the income derived from both rates and grants.

All of Council’s Integrated Planning and Reporting Documents are now on public exhibition and ratepayers and residents are encouraged to view these documents on Council’s website and to make comment by the closing date of 17th May 2019.