Strong plans, great workforce reflected in 2021-2022 annual report

Strong plans, a great workforce and an even greater commitment to get things done despite the rapidly changing economic landscape of the nation.

For Mayor Kerry Hayes, this is the story the Central Highlands Regional Council’s Annual Report 2021-2022 tells.

The report was adopted at today’s general council meeting, providing residents with a comprehensive overview of the organisation’s performance and activities for the last financial year.

‘Apart from meeting legislative requirements, producing an annual report is all about letting the community peer through the window into our workplace,’ Mayor Kerry Hayes explained.

‘It’s a chance for residents to get a true picture of what council does, why it does it, and how it works.’

The 220-page report features facts, figures and narratives about council’s achievements, challenges and outlooks.

‘It’s been another challenging year economically for all of Australia, with impacts on costs of living, increasing material prices and supply chain issues continuing to influence our outlook and capacity,’ Mayor Hayes said.

‘But this is a region of opportunity and resilience, and as a local government we play the crucial role of advocate, investor and, above all, deliverer of the services and infrastructure our people need.

‘In 2021-2022, we spent 96.1% of our capital works budget, undertaking important projects such as upgrades at our saleyards, the redevelopment of the Emerald Community Kindergarten, new skateparks in Blackwater and Sapphire, a $4.98 million gravel road resheeting program, council depot upgrades and replacing the Comet raw water pier and pump.’

Operationally, Mayor Hayes said it was a busy 12 months with 80% of activities outlined in the 2021-2022 operational plan completed and the remaining to be continued in the next year.

Some operational achievements include:

Mayor Hayes said the annual report was also useful for prospective employees, investors and anyone with an interest in the Central Highlands community.

‘There are comprehensive financial statements and a brief, plain English community financial report that gives a general overview of council’s financial management,’ he said.

The 2021-2022 financial statements and sustainability ratios indicate that council is in a sound financial position with healthy cash balances and a community net worth in excess of $1.6 billion.

‘This year we recorded an operating surplus of $2.5 million reflecting a positive short-term performance that’s expected to be maintained over the medium term,’ Mayor Hayes said.

The annual report is available to view here.