It’s almost time to have your say! Council’s draft Operational Plan and Budget for 2024-2025 will be ready for community feedback from next week, with the public exhibition period opening on Monday 29 April and closing on Monday 27 May 2024. 

Participating in this public exhibition process will allow you to have your say on what Council will be investing in over the next 12 months. It’s important to note that this Operational Plan and Budget is the final year in Council’s Delivery Program 2022-2025 and will be the plan that the newly elected Council will be working with after the September Council elections.

The draft Operational Plan and Budget contains detail on what monies will be available and where it is being proposed to be spent. 

It is proposed that in the 2024-2025 financial year, Council will receive $723.5 million in operational revenue and spend $712.8M on services and operational functions. A key part of the draft plan is the proposed investment of $309.9M in capital projects, focused on renewing and upgrading the existing asset portfolio.

Highlights from the proposed capital works program ($309.9M) include:  

• $21.3M in sports facilities and fields 
• $4.8M in waste and resources
• $7.8M in shared pathways and footpaths
• $63.1M in roads and drainage 
• $21.4M for natural disaster remediation
• $4M in environmental management 
• $4M in parks and playspaces
• $122.6M in water and sewer projects
• $4M in community facilities 
• $2M in arts and culture 
• $22.7M in libraries
• $32.2M in additional infrastructure projects

Key initiatives and projects of the draft Operational Plan include:

• Continued progress of food organics and garden organics (FOGO) solution
• Progressing Gosford Waterfront project
• Major upgrade to Mardi Water Treatment Plant
• Completion of the Gosford Regional Library
• South cell construction at Woy Woy Waste Management Facility
• Preparation for the return of elected representatives to Council
• Continuing to provide quality services to the community

View the draft Operational Plan and Budget 2024-25, and the draft Fees and Charges at yourvoiceourcoast.com during the exhibition period (29 April – 27 May 2024) to have your say.

Rik Hart, Administrator