Local jobs and biggest ever road upgrade program form centrepiece of Wollondilly Budget for coming y…

The Wollondilly Operational Plan & Budget 2020/21 is on the Agenda for Tuesday night’s Council meeting, with local jobs and road upgrades the major focus.

Council’s budget has taken a big hit from recent bushfires, floods and Covid-19, with the financial impact expected to be $7.8m in 2020.

The good news is that Council is able to manage this impact and still sustain service levels as well as invest in service improvements and major capital works in the year ahead.

The Plan focuses on economic recovery through the delivery of Council’s largest ever capital works program and through other initiatives that support economic stimulus and job creation within the community.

Mayor Matthew Deeth said, “Council is focussed on continuing to provide the services that our community relies upon, while also supporting them through this challenging period.”

“Despite an estimated impact on Council’s finances from the recent bushfires, flood and now Covid-19 in the order of $7.8m, we are committed to doing our best to continue to support our community and deliver for them.”

“As well as continuing our current services, Council is looking to provide a range of new initiatives including an additional road crew, a more efficient public bin servicing system run in-house, and increased safety inspections in the community,” he said.

“I’m proud to say that this elected Council is also increasing our road upgrade budget once again and will this year be investing $17.9m on road upgrades and renewal, plus more Council staff on the ground repairing our roads.”

“We’re also boosting local jobs and working to kick-start the local economy with a $33.6m investment in infrastructure upgrades across the Shire.”