Port Macquarie Hastings Council will be releasing its draft budget and plans for the next financial year for public feedback on Monday 30 March. The Our Community, Our Plan in Action suite of draft documents includes the Delivery Program 2025-29 (Year 2) and the Operational Plan 2026-27.
The draft plans include Council's largest-ever capital works program of more than $200 million and is a budget that focuses on delivery of key water and sewer infrastructure, significant works projects across roads, footpaths, parks and gardens and other core services to keep up with the growth experienced across the broader local government area.
The program of works as set out in the Draft Operational Plan 2026-27, continues a strong focus on essential infrastructure which Mayor Adam Roberts says builds on the momentum of recent years, where Council has focused on consistently maintaining core infrastructure and service delivery as its key priority.
"In recent years we have taken a strategic approach of prioritising the fundamental delivery of core services," he said.
"These are the roads we drive on, the parks and gardens where families gather, the stormwater systems that manage flooding, and the critical water and sewer services that underpin our community and local economy.
"These draft documents continue that approach, ensuring we maintain the essential services our community relies on, while investing in the infrastructure needed to support our growing region, with the intent of significant spending on water and sewer infrastructure in particular."
The capital works program includes significant investment across the Port Macquarie-Hastings region, with key major projects in 2026-27 including the initial construction stages of the Cowarra Water Supply Scheme - $51.7 million, and Thrumster Wastewater Scheme - $32 million.
The draft budget documents propose taking up available rate peg of 6 per cent and increases to water and sewer fees and charges to assist in the delivery of the key water and sewer projects. Substantial borrowings and drawing down on reserve funds are also flagged in the draft documents, which go some way to limiting the fee increases to the current ratepayers, sharing the costs over past and future ratepayers for intergenerational equity.
Mayor Roberts said he has advocated extensively to State and Federal Governments for grant funding to assist with subsidising the cost to community for delivering such large-scale, future-proofing projects - particularly in relation to water and sewer.
"Despite our best efforts over the past year in particular to seek financial support to subsidise the water and sewer projects, the State or Federal Government support hasn't been forthcoming as yet, even though both projects carry a State-significant Infrastructure (SSI) categorisation.
"This lack of financial support from other levels of Government means that Council must now look at other options within our own budgets and revenue streams, to deliver this necessary work, which unfortunately includes raising fees and charges and taking up the available rate peg.
"Delaying or discontinuing these critical water and sewer projects could significantly damage our local economy, which is why it is important to push ahead with the projects.
"That said, I will continue to plead for funding from the State and Federal Governments to help ease the financial burden on our ratepayers as we progress."
General Manager Robert Fish said the draft plans reflect Council's responsibility to continue to maintain essential service levels, while also managing the financial realities facing local government.
"Our responsibility is to continue delivering the services our community relies on while investing responsibly in infrastructure that supports the region now and into the future," Mr Fish said.
"We acknowledge that some elements of the proposed draft budget will be felt by our community, and we understand that any changes to rates, fees or charges can have an impact.
"But like many businesses, regional councils right across NSW are experiencing significant expense and revenue challenges, brought about by rising costs of materials and labour, as well as cost shifting pressures and noticeable decreases in grant-funded support from other levels of government.
"Aside from what the Mayor has outlined, if we don't push ahead with the current draft plans and budget, it could also mean reducing service levels for maintaining our public spaces, amenities, and other essential assets.
"Our budget makes reasonable and responsible adjustments to rates to support these challenges, and it includes appropriate measures to ensure that we can continue to deliver essential services and maintain long-term financial sustainability for our future.
"Whilst these adjustments are needed, our rates and charges remain in the vicinity of fees and rates charged by other councils in the region."
The draft plans will go on public exhibition on 30 March until 1 May, giving residents the opportunity to review them before they are finalised in June.
Residents will be able to view the draft documents and make submissions via Council's Have Your Say Home | Port Macquarie Hastings Council Have Your Say when the exhibition period open on Monday.
