A message from the Mayor and CEO: Challenging decisions

Published on 18 June 2025

This week, Council adopted a number of critical planning documents, including the 2025–2026 Budget and our Long-Term Financial Plan. These are required by legislation to guide our service delivery, infrastructure delivery and maintenance, and plan for the future of our shire.

When considering the drafts presented, there was much frank discussion around Council’s challenging financial position, the volume of infrastructure work we need to deliver and the significant uncertainty we face. The cost to Council of recovering from the May 2025 flood event is not yet known, but we do know there will be implications for project delivery and budget planning. Further, our financial outlook remains challenging, with a forecast $10 million operating deficit over the next ten years – even with the approved special rate variation (noting Council adopted a 7.5% rating increase for 2025-2026, which is half of the approved special rate variation).

Councillors and staff are committed to working together and being transparent with our community as we face and adapt to these challenges as necessary.

In coming months, we will work together to review the adopted budget. We will consider and potentially prioritise our significant capital works program which includes flood recovery works still underway from 2021, new works required because of the May 2025 flood and the significant water and sewer program. We will also look at ways of increasing capacity (within Council and partnering with contractors, preferably local) to accelerate our recovery.

All this work will ensure Councillors receive a comprehensive update and can make necessary decisions as part of the first quarterly budget review in November 2025.

We understand the scale of the challenge ahead, and are committed to working with our community, our staff, and our partners to ensure we remain on a path to long-term financial sustainability.

Warm regards,