Digby Rayward here, happy to present this week's Council Happenings.
When you watch me, you often hear me bang on about the business role of Councillors and our role of overseeing the Council as a business for you, the ratepayers. Obviously we've got some constraints placed on by legislation in how we run the business, but it's still a major focus for us. At last Wednesday night's council meeting, there were a couple of really important papers that came up to reflect how the business is going, so I thought I'd quickly share some of those with you in this quick chat.
First of all, there was the Quarterly Planning and Development Report. Now this report captures the development activity across the Shire, and it's absolutely important that we get this right. In the past, you probably heard me say that before I came onto the council, many business people told me, "Don't do anything in Dungog, it's just too hard!" I believe we're actually turning that around now, and we're getting some positive people wanting to come in, and some developers wanting to invest in the Shire, and that's what we're looking for obviously, controlled and proper investment. The council is pleased we're heading in the right direction. If you have a look, you can see that in the report where we're going, we've improved in the standing, so that's a great outcome.
Another part of the Council meeting on Wednesday night was the Quarterly Budget Review up to March 2026. This is something that all small councils are struggling with, in some ways, for their sustainability. It showed we had capital expenditure of more than $21 million next year, but also outlined our operating deficit before capital grants at about $9 million, so obviously we're keeping a close eye on this. Some of this $9 million deficit is reflected in the accounting procedures we have to follow and in depreciation, things like that. But we're looking closely at it, and when we add grants on top of it, we're actually in the black. It shows the importance of funding. About 60% of our funding comes from government funding, and we believe, like so many small councils, that we don't get appropriate funding for the number of people we've got and the number of roads that we have to maintain.
You look at some of the Sydney councils, and Sydney was an example itself, they get about $90 million in funding from car parking and car fines alone, and yet, they get a bigger part of what's called the Federal Assistance Grant than we do in Dungog. So we've been lobbying hard for this, and later on, we'll be asking your support to help us, especially when we come close to the state election next year.
The third document was the Quarterly Review of the Delivery Program for 2025-2029. It looks at what we said we'd do and whether we have done it. This was a good outcome. 83% of the actions we put down to deliver are either completed or on track to be delivered. So, from a business point of view, I think we're delivering what we said we would.
We're tidying up some legacy issues, so I'm fairly pleased we're heading in the right direction. I've often told you about the reviews we're undertaking. We're in the third stage of the business model review, and that's working well too.
Now, on a different note, a couple of lighter topics! The tender for the new Gresford Bridge was finally approved at Wednesday night's meeting. Those people on the other side of the bridge would be pleased to see that. You're just going to have to put up with a bit of tough love till that bridge is finished.
Another great event to support is National Volunteer Week. You've heard me say volunteers are the key to this Shire, and without volunteers, we're just an empty shell. The guys at Paterson are getting behind this event. On Sunday, they'll be getting together to recognise the volunteers. They'll be at John Tucker from 10am to 1pm, providing the rain holds out, or otherwise they'll be in the hall. So, if you've got a few minutes and want to help us recognise the volunteers, please come along.
And finally, The Archies Night. Well, that was a great success! It's a bit unique for Dungog. And I must admit, my granddaughter put in one of me and won the junior kids one! It's pretty hard to get a photo of me that looks alright. But anyway, she did that, well done! It just shows that the music and art sector in Dungog Shire is strong and growing, which is good to see! We're a diverse group of people coming together as a strong team.
Anyway, that's enough from me again. I'll catch you next time. Cheers.
