Major improvements to the road network, construction of new recreation facilities and improved water security will all be features of a huge infrastructure boost across the Kempsey Shire in the year ahead.
The next twelve months will see almost $90 million injected into major projects across the Shire after the 2021-22 Operational Plan and Budget was adopted at the June Council Meeting on Tuesday.
Kempsey Shire Council Mayor, Liz Campbell, said the capital spending on major projects and targeted road works has been developed to meet community infrastructure needs now and into the future.
"Council have secured millions in state and federal government grant funding in recent years and that means we have a substantial capital works program ahead next financial year and the ones following," said Cr Campbell.
"The program will deliver ongoing maintenance and repair of our recreational areas, roads and footpaths across the Shire."
Kempsey Shire Council General Manager, Craig Milburn, explained that when determining the final version 2021-22 Operational Plan and Budget, Council considered extensive community engagement, which included 28 submissions and 507 downloads of the draft document during the public exhibition period.
"It's pleasing to see that we have been able to increase the level of engagement the community has with these important documents and even better to be able to incorporate the community's feedback into the documents," said Mr Milburn.
"Much of the community feedback centred around Stuarts Point including issues of drainage, the sewer treatment scheme and the coastal management plans. We will continue to engage with Stuarts Point, Grassy Head and Fishermans Reach communities to define and deliver these long-term projects."
Major projects outlined in the program for the next financial year include:
- $6m to commence the emergency water treatment plant for securing high quality water out of Stueart McIntyre dam
- $8.2m for Macleay Valley Recreation Adventure Park
- $5m to start construction of the Stuarts Point Sewerage Scheme
- $3.5m for upgrades to the Macleay Valley Holiday Parks
- $3.7 for Nulla Nulla Bridge on Armidale Road
- $3m on rehabilitating further sections of Armidale Road
- $2.3m on the remaining 4kms of this year's upgrade to South West Rocks Road
- Almost $800,000 on internal refit and replacing the roof of the Kempsey Library
The Long-Term Financial Plan for Council was also presented at Tuesday's meeting, showing an operating deficit across the 10 years with Councillors acknowledging that work must be carried out to secure future financial sustainability.
"To generate income, Councillors considered scenarios including an application for a Special Rate Variation to be charged from 2023-24. We will undertake a significant program of engagement and community education before we consider that. Nonetheless, it was pleasing to note the Councillors want to draw community attention to the big picture financial situation," said Mr Milburn.
The full suite of Integrated Planning documents that were adopted can be found on Council's website and were acknowledged by Councillors and staff at the meeting as some of the most important documents that are presented to Council each year.
