Budgets on Show (GM Column 1 June 2019)

It’s that time of the year when we put out the Draft 2017-2021 Delivery Program for community feedback. The document, which includes the Draft 2019/20 Operational Plan, Draft 2019/20 Fees and Charges, and Draft Delivery Program Budgets 2019-2021, is on exhibition until Monday, June 10, 2019.

Put simply, the documents contain all the proposed projects for the coming years and their budgets.

The good news is that the general fund budget result for 2019/20, excluding capital revenue, is projected to be a $1.207 million surplus.

Council developed the current four-year Delivery Program in 2017 with a focus on renewing public assets across the whole local government area – and that work will continue in 2019/20.

This third year of the Delivery Program will see the continuation of a number of major projects including the Coffs Coast Regional Sports Hub, advancing the Cultural and Civic Space development initiative in the Coffs Harbour City Centre, Safer Communities Coffs CCTV and Security Lighting, the roll-out of a solar power network under Council’s Renewable Energy and Emissions Reduction Plan and the adoption of the revised Local Growth Management Strategy by Council.

In 2019/20, significant funding allocations are proposed for other works. These include:

Major roadworks totalling $6.7m including Beach Street in Woolgoolga, Second and Third Avenues at Arrawarra Headland and Headland Road, Sapphire; Bridge renewals and upgrades worth $916,192; $2.8m worth of footpaths and cycleways including Moonee to Sapphire, Sandy Beach Reserve and King Street, Coffs Harbour; Flooding and drainage infrastructure ($2.9m); The extension of the public amenities program ($597,500), including the Boronia Park in Sawtell amenities upgrade; and Extensive water ($10.3m) and sewer ($8.8m) infrastructure upgrades.

Strategic priorities in the coming year include:

Advocating for the best Coffs Harbour bypass; Implementing the City Centre Masterplan, including investing in the Cultural and Civic Space Project; Developing a framework for place-making and implement enhanced precinct planning; Investing in sport through the Coffs Coast Sport and Leisure Park; Investing in tourism and the community through the redevelopment of the Jetty Foreshores; and Stimulating economic growth through the development of the Airport Enterprise Park.

The draft documents, and details of how to make a submission, are available on Council’s Have Your Say website Printed copies are also displayed at Council’s Customer Service Centre and local libraries. Submissions close at 5pm on Monday, June 10, 2019.