Have your say on funding priorities, projects and operations in City of Wagga Wagga’s draft budget

T he City of Wagga Wagga has placed a total operating expenditure budget for 2017/18 of more than $119.8M on public exhibition.

The Delivery Program and Operational Plan (DPOP) 2017/18 is now on public exhibition along with the Long Term Financial Plan 2017/27, Asset Management Plans, Workforce Plan 2018/21 and Annual Fees and Charges.

The suite of Integrated Planning and Reporting documents are the first for the newly elected Council and are shaped around the community’s vision in the recently adopted Wagga View, Community Strategic Plan 2040.

"Thousands of residents helped shape our shared vision for the future by taking part in the development of the Wagga View, Community Strategic Plan 2040," Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Councillor Greg Conkey OAM said.

"This overarching document centres on four guiding principles: thriving, innovative, connected and inclusive.

"These principles and the community’s vision for the future create a roadmap for the City of Wagga Wagga’s suite of Integrated Planning and Reporting documents that set out our objectives for the coming financial year and our plans for the future."

The 2017/18 budget features more than $41.5M in capital expenditure, including $17.5M for new projects.

Major projects in the DPOP include the completion of the Bomen Enabling Roads, Euonony Bridge replacement, work starting on the Levee Bank upgrade project, multi-purpose stadiums at Equex and Bolton Park, and upgrades to the Livestock Marketing Centre and Wagga Wagga Airport.

A number of important plans and strategies are also currently being developed, which Cr Conkey said will ensure Wagga Wagga goes from strength to strength.

"Wagga Wagga is on the midst of a transformational period that will define the growth of our city and villages for many years to come," he said.

"Along with creating new opportunities for economic growth, we are fortifying the local economy and providing peace of mind for residents through the upgrade to the levee bank system.

"The City is currently developing a number of key strategies that will both guide the growth in the Local Government Area and ensure adequate services are provided for the community into the future."

"The Recreation and Open Space Community Strategy will be finalised this year, while the Activation Strategy is currently being developed. The Development Control Plan and Development Contribution Plans (including Section 94, Section 94A and Section 64) are also currently being reviewed."

Cr Conkey said the City is also committed to the continued implementation of its Fit for the Future action plan.

"As part of our commitment to providing value for money to our ratepayers and residents, the City of Wagga Wagga is continuing to work toward meeting the NSW Government’s Fit for the Future performance benchmarks," he said.

Also included in the DPOP are about $1.4M in contributions, grants and donations provided by the City to the community.

The Integrated Planning and Reporting suite of documents will be on public exhibition from Thursday 27 April.

Community members can view the draft plans and give their feedback on funding priorities, projects and operations online at www.yoursaywagga.com.au/ipr.

Major projects for 2017/18

A number of important projects that will provide vital facilities for Wagga Wagga and create economic opportunities will be completed or get underway this financial year.

Along with the many programs and services identified in the 2017/18 Combined Delivery Program and Operational Plan, the City of Wagga Wagga will be focused on:

 The completion of the Bomen Enabling Roads project followed by the replacement of Eunony Bridge

 Works starting on the Levee Bank upgrade project

 The multi-purpose stadiums at Equex and Bolton Park

 Important upgrades to the Livestock Marketing Centre and Wagga Wagga Airport

Integrated Planning and Reporting suite of documents

Integrated Planning and Reporting (IP&R) is the planning and reporting framework the City of Wagga Wagga uses to work towards achieving the community’s vision.

Under NSW Government legislation, councils must prepare a number of plans that provide details on how a council intends to deliver works and services in the short and long term.

This is based on the community’s priorities, which have been identified through consultation and engagement, as well as the resources available to council in delivering these items.

The framework ensures councils illustrate their various plans together, to understand how they interact in planning for the future.

Delivery Program and Operational Plan

The Delivery Program is a statement of commitment to the community from each newly elected council and sets out a four-year plan to respond to the community’s long-term vision as stated in Wagga View, Community Strategic Plan 2040.

The Operational Plan is a sub-plan of the Delivery Program and sets out the projects, programs and activities to be undertaken in a 12-month period. The Operational Plan includes a financial snapshot.

Long Term Financial Plan

The Long Term Financial Plan is a 10-year financial planning document with an emphasis on long-term financial sustainability.

The plan is formulated by using a number of estimates and assumptions to project the future revenue and expenditure required of the City of Wagga Wagga to deliver those services and projects expected by the community.

The draft budget for the 10 years 2017/18 to 2026/27 are balanced and this position has been achieved with each area within the organisation identifying significant budget reductions and operational efficiencies.

Asset Management Plans

The City of Wagga Wagga manages $1.7 billion worth of assets and there are five asset management plans for each asset type - buildings, recreational assets, sewer, stormwater and transport infrastructure networks.

Each plan sets out the level of service the City provides the community in relation to the assets. They use financial information and technical asset data, compared to service levels to identify funding shortfalls in managing the assets.

Workforce Plan 2018-21

The Workforce Plan focuses on current and future staffing needs to ensure the City of Wagga Wagga has the right people in the right roles at the right time to deliver services to our community.

The Workforce Plan has been developed to outline strategies and initiatives to attract and retain a capable, efficient and effective workforce with the capacity to deliver on the Delivery Program and Operational Plans.