Adoption of Integrated Planning and Reporting documents

Adoption of Integrated Planning and Reporting documents - 29 June 2015

Wagga Wagga City Council has tonight adopted its Integrated Planning and Reporting (IP&R) suite of documents, including a balanced budget for 2015/16.

Council’s total operating expenditure for the next financial year is $108 million, with a further $15M for capital renewals and $36M for new capital expenditure.

“Integrated Planning and Reporting (IP&R) is the planning and reporting framework that Wagga Wagga City Council uses to work towards achieving the community’s vision,” Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Councillor Rod Kendall said.

“It contains key documents that are used to plan for future projects and services for our community.

“The 2015/16 budget ensures existing services and capital programs continue, as well as providing funding for capital projects and infrastructure renewal.

“Council’s budget is balanced for 2015/16 and 2016/17, with small surplus budgets forecast in the 2017/18 and 2018/19 financial years.”

Included in the IP&R are Council’s Delivery Program and Operation Plan (DPOP) 2015/16, Revenue and Pricing Policy 2015/16 and Long Term Financial Plan 2015/25.

Wagga Wagga City Council has a number of new and continuing projects and services over the coming 12 months, including:

 Narrung wetland project

 Revision of Council’s Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan

 Continued commitment to the levee bank upgrade project

 Road Pavement Rehabilitation Program, including the renewal of 50,000sqm of road in the LGA.

 Conduct the 2015 Community Survey to obtain feedback from the community

 Facilitate Council events for the benefit of the wider community, ie little big day out, Regenerate Youth Festival, Australia Day, citizenship ceremonies

 Implement Riverside Master Plan

 Construction of neighbourhood parks, including Bourkelands

 Facilitate the community grants program

In preparing the DPOP, Council has made a substantial effort in adjusting its budgets in an attempt to meet or move towards meeting the State Government’s “Fit for the Future” benchmarks.

Council currently meets four of the seven targets and has finalised its action plan for submission to IPART.

Council’s IP&R documents are available at www.wagga.nsw.gov.au/ipr or from the Customer Service Centre.