The eagerly anticipated independent Financial Sustainability Report, prepared by Professors Joseph Drew, Yunji Kim and Masato Miyazaki from the University of Newcastle, was tabled at yesterday's August Ordinary Council Meeting.
The Report confirms that while Council has no immediate liquidity concerns, Leeton Shire Council is not financially sustainable over the long term, with projected budget deficits over the coming decade posing a serious risk to the general fund. The Report also highlights the need for timely and prudent action to strengthen revenue streams and reduce expenditure, where possible.
At this stage, no decision has been made regarding a Special Rate Variation (SRV). However, it is considered likely that an application to IPART (Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal) will be required in the future. Council has accepted the Report's recommendation that additional preparation work over the coming months is needed before any such application is even considered.
To guide this important work, Council is establishing a Financial Sustainability Advisory Committee (FSAC), comprising five (5) suitably qualified community representatives, the Mayor, two (2) councillors and two (2) Council staff (outdoor and indoor).
The FSAC will be chaired by Professor Drew and will meet fortnightly, commencing in early October when he plans to visit Leeton in person.
A Terms of Reference(PDF, 87KB) guiding the Committee's purpose and responsibilities was also endorsed at last night's Council meeting. Its role is to examine the Report's findings and pursue the list of recommendations having regard to Leeton Shire's unique values, priorities, and financial constraints. This will include looking at what is practical, affordable and sustainable for the future of our community. The Committee does not, however, have any decision-making functions and any investigations made by the Committee will go back to the elected Council for consideration, deliberation and determination.
Council is now calling for Expressions of Interest (EOI) from community members who wish to serve on the Financial Sustainability Advisory Committee. Interested residents need to submit an EOI online via this form by noon on 15 September 2025.
Hard copy forms are also available at the Council Administration Building, Leeton Shire Library, Yanco Shop, and Whitton and Murrami Post Offices.
Council will finalise membership of the Committee at the September 2025 Ordinary Council Meeting.
Mayor Cr George Weston said Professor Drew's report findings were illuminating and not entirely unexpected given the whole local government sector's well publicised challenges around financial sustainability.
"This Report is an important step forward. It makes it clear that Leeton Shire Council and the community must work together to address the financial challenges facing Council. The establishment of the Financial Sustainability Advisory Committee will ensure that local voices can help shape the path ahead.
"This is not about making rushed decisions, it's about doing the hard work now so that we can make the best-informed decisions for the future of our Shire," he said.
Council encourages residents with the interest, skills and time to consider applying for the FSAC in order to help steer Leeton's financial sustainability journey. Community participation in the committee is voluntary.
