At its December Ordinary Council Meeting, Council gave in-principle support to two sets of recommendations of its Financial Sustainability Advisory Committee (FSAC) relating to grants and subsidies and evidence-based community engagement through willingness-to-pay surveys, with the third (setting up a capital works committee to govern major capital projects) being deferred for further consideration at a future Council meeting.
These recommendations came from FSAC meetings held on 4 November, 18 November and 3 December 2025. The original recommendations were first considered by Management to assess resourcing impacts, resulting in additional options to Council.
Council ultimately resolved that organisations and associations receiving cash or in-kind support (e.g., subsidised fees or charges) will be required to submit four-year applications aligned with each Council term. These applications must clearly outline the reason the support is needed, the value of support requested, how that support benefits the typical Leeton Shire ratepayer, and how organisations plan to reduce reliance on ratepayers over time. Annual reporting will also be required to support reconciliation and monitoring.
Council also endorsed the preparation of a policy and procedure requiring proposals for new discretionary infrastructure or services over $1 million to be supported by statistically valid, randomised willingness-to-pay surveys. These surveys will be required to present full whole-of-life costs, explain how projects would be funded, include balanced options such as proceeding, doing nothing or reducing service levels, and clearly report sampling errors and response rates. It was noted that these surveys will add additional cost to Council.
In relation to capital projects, Council is yet to formally consider the merit of a new committee against expanding existing Project Control Group arrangements at a future Council meeting, while maintaining a focus on achieving strong oversight, accountability and organisational learning for major projects. This will occur in the first quarter of this year.
FSAC Chair Professor Joseph Drew said the endorsed recommendations reflect improved practice in local government financial management, stating, "These decisions are about ensuring fairness, transparency and evidence-based choices, while protecting the long-term financial sustainability of the Leeton Shire community."
Mayor Cr George Weston said the outcomes reinforce Council's focus on accountability to the community. "These measures help ensure that ratepayer funds are used wisely and that major decisions are backed by clear evidence and community input. I again thank the FSAC members and Chair Professor Drew for their considered advice and contribution."
The FSAC provides expert advice and community input to support Council's long-term financial sustainability and transparent decision-making. They will continue to meet fortnightly in 2026 with the first meeting taking place on February 11th.
