MidCoast Council has adopted its revised four-year Delivery Program and 2026-27 Operational Plan and Budget, setting the direction for Council services, projects and spending over the next 12 months.
The plans were adopted at Council's Ordinary Meeting on Monday 29 June, following a community consultation period.
Mayor Claire Pontin thanked everyone who took the time to read the draft documents and provide feedback.
"When you look at our Delivery Program and Operation Plan, you're seeing the concrete ways we're planning to turn community priorities into actions through our delivery of services and projects," said Mayor Pontin.
"We've had to strike a careful balance between delivering on what the community wants while remaining financially sustainable and meeting legislative requirements."
Like many regional and rural councils, MidCoast Council continues to face growing financial pressures from rising costs, limited income sources and the ongoing impacts of natural disasters. At the same time, it manages almost $6 billion worth of infrastructure across more than 10,000 square kilometres.
"We know our community wants better roads, reliable services and well-maintained facilities," she said.
"We've worked hard to find savings and direct more funding into roads while continuing to provide the essential services our community relies on."
Roads remain Council's biggest investment, with almost $149 million allocated in 2026-27. This includes:
- around $19 million for road maintenance
- more than $39 million for road capital works, and
- more than $90 million for natural disaster recovery works following the May 2025 floods, under Disaster Relief Funding Arrangements.
Council has also identified more than $4 million in operational savings, allowing extra funding to be redirected into road improvements.
Other major investments in the 2026-27 budget include:
- $69 million for sewer infrastructure upgrades
- $25 million for water infrastructure projects
- $17 million for landfill upgrades and environmental compliance
- $11.5 million for the new Food Organics Garden Organics (FOGO) processing facility
- $6 million for community assets including sporting facilities, parks and public amenities
- $900,000 for stormwater drainage improvements.
The adopted budget includes a 3.1% increase in general rates, in line with the NSW Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) annual rate peg. The rate peg recognises inflationary pressures and allows all councils to increase their income to a set maximum each year. However, it does not translate into a 3.1% increase in rates across households. Individual rates depend on the Valuer General's assessment.
Waste charges will increase by 3.1%, while water charges will increase by 5%, and sewer charges by 5.5%.
Mayor Pontin said these increases were necessary to keep up with rising costs.
During the public exhibition period, Council received 71 submissions which were carefully considered before adopting the plans. The main topics raised included proposed Manning Entertainment Centre hiring fees, compliance issues at North Arm Cove, sporting infrastructure and the fairness of rates.
The adopted Delivery Program 2025-2029 (Revised 2026-27), Operational Plan and Budget 2026-27, and Fees and Charges are available on Council's website at https://www.midcoast.nsw.gov.au/DPOP
