Council rolls out biggest ever Management Plan

Wyong Shire Council has unveiled a $360 million Draft 2008/2009 Management Plan that will provide the community with information about Council activities, strategic direction and works programs for the next 12 months.

“The Draft 2008/09 Management Plan includes an expenditure of $360 million to undertake significant projects such as capital works to enhance the region’s water supply system and secure it for the future; road construction and the implementation of the Estuary Management Plan,” Mayor Warren Welham said.

“The $360 million budget is the biggest ever proposed by Council as a result of securing additional grant funds and utilising developer contributions to undertake a range of capital works.

“What the Management Plan shows is that Council is managing its finances responsibly and continues to maintain a stable and sustainable financial position.

“Many local governments are under pressure exacerbated by State Government activities such as cost shifting to Councils, rate pegging, the increased costs of legislative compliance and the reductions in levies for developers.”

While Council is planning on its biggest ever expenditure over the next 12 months, much of the bill will be met by Government grants and developer donations rather than residents.

Some of the grants and developer contributions Council has secured include:

• $31,568,000 from Gosford City Council for joint water supply scheme works
• $26,500,000 in developer contributions and grants for Railway Road, Warnervale
• $5,400,000 in developer contributions for Woongarrah Sporting Fields
• $4,000,000 in Government grants for the Tuggerah Lakes Estuary Management Plan
• $2,900,000 in developer contributions for The Entrance multi-purpose community facility

“The fact we have been able to secure grants such as these show Wyong Shire Council is working co-operatively with both State and Federal Government’s to secure the best outcomes for the Shire,” Mayor Welham said.

“It also highlights how important developer contributions are to providing the community with much needed facilities and infrastructure.”

Overall, the increase for the typical residential ratepayer is 5.7 per cent based on an estimated rate pegging limit of 3.2 per cent by the Minister for Local Government.

“The increase for a typical residential ratepayer is more than the forecast inflation rate because of price increases forced on Council that are beyond our control,’’ Mayor Welham said.

“These increases include the EPA Waste levy, which has been increased by 26.6 per cent by the State Government and water and sewerage charges which are determined by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) and approved by the Minister for Energy and Utilities.”

Council’s major commitments contained in the Management Plan, which will be on public exhibition for 28 days from April 16, include

• A water and sewerage capital works program of $101.7 million. This money will be spent on the Mardi-Mangrove link, Mardi high lift pump station, Mardi Warnervale Trunk Main, purchase of water from the Hunter Water Corporation; rebate programs for rainwater tanks and washing machines, contribution to State Government Water Savings Fund and Warnervale Town Centre sewerage trunk mains.  

• $6.7 million for the implementation of the Tuggerah Lakes Estuary Management Plan for works including: The construction, planning and maintenance of stormwater treatment measure and drainage systems in urban areas and around the lake edge, work to redress the impacts of stormwater on bushland and natural wetlands, restoration of rivers and creeks, improved boat access and improved lakeside recreation facilities
     
• $5.6 million for open space improvements including the Woongarrah Sports Fields, expected to be in operation in April 2010
     
• $4.9 million for work undertaken on the State Roads within the Shire including: A $1.7 million contribution to the RTA for the upgrading of the Pacific Highway at Tuggerah and maintenance and landscape areas on Wyong Road and Sparks Road
     
• $3.3 million for new community buildings with most of the amount allocated to The Entrance multi-purpose community facility
     
• $1.4 million for improvements to Council’s Holiday Parks at Norah Head, Toowoon Bay, Canton Beach and Budgewoi.

See the Draft 2008/2009 Management Plan or view it at Council’s Civic Centre or at one of Council’s libraries.

Media contact: Cameron Bell (02) 43 50 1667

Page last updated: 08/04/2008