Have your say on the 2023/24 Draft Operational Plan

Have your say on the 2023/24 Draft Operational Plan

2 May, 2023

Lithgow City Council has endorsed its Draft 2023/24 Operational Plan and proposed Fees & Charges.  We invite all residents of the Lithgow LGA to be involved and have their say on the future direction of the area.

The Draft Operational Plan is a high-level plan that identifies the projects, community programs and services which Council will provide to the community in the 2023/24 financial year.

To contain the burden on ratepayers, Council has actively sought grant-funding opportunities to increase revenue and provide quality infrastructure and services for our community including:

Renewal of Atkinson Street/State Mine Gully Road, Lithgow from Willes Street to the boundary with National Parks. (Gardens of Stone Project funded) – $4.485m. Fixing Country Bridges Round 2 – Red Hill Road Bridge, Palmers Oaky and Charles Street Bridge, Rydal – $1.4m Active Transport Plan – Walking & Cycling projects – $854k Maple Crescent, Lithgow Hartley Valley Road, Vale of Clwydd High Street, Portland Castlereagh Highway, Cullen Bullen Barton Avenue, Wallerawang Pindari Place, Lithgow. Main Street/Cupro Street Drainage Improvements (Resources for Regions R9 & AGRN1025 funding)- $870k

Triplication of the subsurface drainage from intersection of Main and Cupro Streets, including the installation of new box culverts and inlets.

CBD Revitalisation Stage 2 – Main Street Footpath renewal (BBRF5 & Resources for Regions R8)- $2.7m

Modernisation of the CBD including removal of existing pavers, improved parking and pedestrian flows and replacement of ageing infrastructure between Bridge & Cook Streets.

Wolgan Road Re-alignment (Multi-year project) – $30m State & Federal Governments National Disaster Recovery Arrangements Program, a multi-year project commencing with identification of an alternative long-term resilient access route into the Wolgan Valley. Portland Central Park project (Resources for Regions R9) – $672k Redesign of the recreation space at Portland Central School including installation of secondary equipment and activation programs to create an active “share our space school” for students and families in Portland and surrounds. Kremer Park Portland Grandstand Improvements (Resources for Regions R8) – $363k. Blast Furnace Park – Stronger Country Communities fund R5 – $415k Installation of a performance stage and lighting upgrade to allow for music and other performance events and regular light shows to occur. Lake Pillans Wetlands – Stronger Country Communities fund R5 – $656,902 Upgrade pathways, construct formal parking areas and install lighting to improve safety and the visitor experience. Lithgow Library upgrade – Public Library Infrastructure Grant – $474k A major internal upgrade and fit-out of the library to improve the facilities for users. Capital works related to the Lithgow City Council Waste Strategy -$2.45m. ABCD Inc. Community Hall, Clarence – Resources for Regions R9 – $411,961 Rebuilding of a community hall in Petra Avenue to lock-up stage. Clarence to Wallerawang Pipeline Project – $995k Development of a business case, environmental approvals and tender release for design and construction of this multi-year project which will enable the Lithgow region to transition towards a more diverse and resilient economy by providing a dependable water source for new industries. New Sewerage Pumping Station for South Bowenfels Development Area – $3.942m.

Council`s budget to fund the many programs and projects has been constrained, however, there is a continuing focus on maintaining good service levels.

The budget will be updated in late May 2023 following the determination of the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) on Council’s overall 45.7% Special Rate Variation application.

Where can I view the Operational Plan?

Copies of the Draft Operational Plan and Fees & Charges are available for viewing at the Council Administration Centre and Lithgow, Wallerawang & Portland Libraries. 

How do I make a submission?

The 2023/24 Draft Operational Plan and Schedule of Fees & Charges will be on exhibition to Midnight, Tuesday 25 May. Anyone wishing to make a submission may do so: