Murray River Council has adopted its 2025-26 Operational Plan, consisting of the Revenue Policy, the Schedule of Fees and Charges and the 2025-26 Budget.
The Operational Plan outlines the projects, services, and initiatives Council proposes to deliver in the next financial year, including a $34.6 million capital works program.
The proposed budget is based on a 5.30% increase in general rate revenue, in line with the rate cap set by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) of NSW.
Access and usage charges for water and sewer will also only see increases in line with the rate cap this year, due to full cost recovery now being in place.
The 2025/26 budget also forecasts an operating deficit of $3.930 million, excluding capital grants and gains or losses from asset sales.
Mayor Cr John Harvie said the budget reflects the financial realities faced by rural councils while striving to maintain service delivery and progress infrastructure upgrades.
"It's a carefully considered budget that keeps us on the right path for this year," Cr Harvie said.
"Asset maintenance and renewal, particularly on our transport network, account for the majority of the projected spend, but we are confident this budget strikes a balance between focusing on our assets, fulfilling general levels of service and continuing delivery of some community projects," he said.
Some of the larger areas of committed capital spend in councils 25/26 budget include:
- Regional Road Renewals $3.7 million
- Kyalite Road Widening $3.6 million
- Moama Water Treatment Plant Upgrades $2.5 million
- Koraleigh Landfill Rehabilitation $1.7m
- Unsealed Road Resheeting $1.3m
- Moama Sewer Treatment Plant Upgrades $1.3m
- Barham Sewer Treatment Plant Upgrades $1.1m
- Other asset replacements $4 million
Prior to adoption, the documents were on display for a 28-day period with one submission received.
The 2025-26 Operational Plan and supporting budget documents will be available for viewing on council's website. All adopted fees and charges come into effect from July 1.
