A large compendium of documents outlining Council’s funding and works programs was adopted on Monday by councillors at their last meeting before the winter break.
Last minute amendments were made around trying to improve the weed infested Waterlily Park in Ocean Shores, as well as auditing the actions contained in the Mullumbimby Masterplan and Bangalow Village Plan.
Additionally, resident pay parking permits were reduced to $30 per annum (see page 1).
The documents are called the Delivery Program (2025–2029), Operational Plan (2025/26), Budget 2024/25, Statement of Revenue Policy (including fees and charges), Ordinary Rates, Charges, Fees and Interest Rate.
Another report was the Resourcing Strategy, which includes the long-term financial management plan, asset and workforce strategy.
Subs withheld
Within the Community Engagement Report for the Operational Plan and Budget 2024/25, the names of those who made submissions were withheld – something that neighbouring councils do not do.
During public access on Monday, former mayor Jan Barham outlined concerns that legislative requirements were not included within staff recommendations for the Resourcing Strategy.
Additionally, she said that the public were not being given the opportunity to comment, as required under the Local Government Act 1993.
She said she was surprised the Resourcing Strategy documents were proposed for adoption by staff, and ‘were only available for six days prior to this meeting’.
Rate increase?
She said, ‘Most of all, what’s missing from these documents is consideration of savings and efficiencies. There appears to be no review that looks at this’.
‘What’s presented are scenarios to make more rate increases’.
Barham also said that there was no data underpinning staff’s claims that visitors contributed to Council asset deterioration, and that armed with such information, grants could be applied for to address that deterioration.
She said, ‘Also, in relation to any speculation regarding rate increases, the NSW government’s response to a recent parliamentary inquiry titled “Ability of local governments to fund infrastructure and services” identifies that councils must undertake a comprehensive spending review that forensically examines expenditure and revenue when proposing rate increases.’
Councillors later adopted all documents, with amendments. The Resourcing Strategy will now go on public exhibition for comment.
Mayor Sarah Ndiaye said during debate that Council’s ‘financial situation is challenging going forward.’
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
