Council held its April meeting on Tuesday 21 April, with Councillors discussing several key items, including the draft Integrated Planning and Reporting documents, a review of the summer season and compliance enforcement activities and savings and efficiencies to support Council's financial position.
Mayoral Minute – Invest in Us campaign
The Mayor presented a Mayoral Minute on the Country Mayors Association Invest in Us campaign, which calls for restoration of at least 1% of Commonwealth taxation revenue to local government to fund essential services and infrastructure. Council endorsed a Mayoral Minute supporting the campaign, with the Mayor to write to the Prime Minister, Treasurer, Federal and Shadow Local Government Ministers and local Members of Parliament.
Summer Season review and parking/camping enforcement
Councillors considered a report on summer operations, including holiday parks, waste and cleaning, ranger activities, illegal parking and camping and antisocial behaviour. Council unanimously supported an alternative enforcement approach for 2026–27 following a procurement process that did not attract a suitable provider, resulting in savings of $520,000.
Draft Integrated Planning and Reporting (IP&R) documents
Council resolved to place its draft IP&R documents on public exhibition for at least 28 days, including the Draft Operational Plan 2026–27 (annual budget), Long Term Financial Plan 2026–2036, Revenue Policy, Rates Map and Fees and Charges. Council noted ongoing economic uncertainty and cost pressures require deferring some capital projects rather than cancelling them. A live‑streamed community presentation will be delivered during the exhibition period, with submissions reported back to Council in June 2026 prior to adoption. The draft documents will be placed on Your Say Macleay in the coming weeks.
27 and 29 Livingstone Street, South West Rocks
Council pre‑authorised expenditure to demolish the unsafe and severely dilapidated dwellings at 27 and 29 Livingstone Street. While the owner has engaged a demolition contractor, pre‑authorising this expenditure enables Council to take immediate action should the owner fail to comply with issued orders, ensuring public safety risks can be managed without delay.
Savings, efficiencies and Special Rate Variation accountability
In response to a Notice of Motion, council staff provided a report outlining actions already taken to deliver savings and efficiencies and to meet Special Rate Variation (SRV) requirements. This included reporting on achieved savings, compliance with IPART conditions, and comparative financial performance data. Key items in the report include, but are not limited to:
- In 2024–25, Council achieved $2.2 million in gross savings, including $2.0 million from the General Fund. Net savings totalled $2.011 million, comprising $1.618 million in ongoing annual savings and $0.393 million in one‑off savings for 2024–25. These savings were primarily driven by staffing vacancies and natural attrition, management structure changes, and targeted operational cost reductions.
- Since 2018–19, the Financial Sustainability Program has delivered cumulative savings of $9.9 million.
Closing the Gap commitment
Council resolved to adopt the NSW Closing the Gap Toolkit for Local Government as a guiding framework to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The Toolkit will inform organisational practice, including review of Council's Reconciliation Action Plan and engagement through the First Nations Advisory Group. Council acknowledged Deputy Mayor Lawrence's contribution to the Toolkit's development.
To read about all items discussed in April, please see the business papers and minutes at Council meeting agendas & minutes
