Have your say on Council’s draft budget and activities

Published on 05 May 2025

MidCoast Council is asking the community to provide their feedback on its proposed annual and four-year plan, which will guide services, activities and spending.

These guiding documents include the draft Delivery Program 2025-2029, Operational Plan and budget for 2025-26, which will be on public exhibition from 2 May to 6 June 2025.

General Manager Adrian Panuccio said that Councillors had identified three priority areas for special focus during their term - roads, financial sustainability, and customer experience.

“We have closely reviewed our budget and cut expenses where possible to inject a further $6.7 million into roads for the next financial year,” Mr Panuccio said.  

As a result of the additional allocation, the total funding for roads for 2025-2026 is $68.47 million.

Mr Panuccio acknowledged that while it will not be enough to fix everything in the 3,600km road network, it will allow staff to reduce the rate of deterioration and improve road safety. Any additional funding for the road network during 2025-26 will rely on government grants.

The draft Operational Plan 2025-26 details major projects that will be undertaken, including road and bridge works, and shows how Council is funding its 31 different service areas.

“While we would love to deliver all the projects and services desired by the community, the reality is we have a relatively small ratepayer base spread across a large area,” Mr Panuccio said.

The 2025-26 budget expenditure is estimated at $320 million. This consists of $102 million from rates and $86 million from annual water, sewer, and waste charges. Fees and charges, grants and other funding streams are large contributors to Council’s overall budget.

The budget is based on applying the 3.80% rate peg set by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) to general property rates.  Other increases include 3.80% in waste management, resulting in an annual charge of $116 applied to all properties within the collection area and $53 per year for those properties outside the collection area.

Water will increase by 5.50%, with an annual access charge for a standard residential meter rising to $378, and usage at $4.28 per thousand litres.

Sewer will increase by 7%, with an annual connection fee of $1,146 for connected properties. 

The draft Delivery Program 2025-2029 and Operational Plan 2025-26, including the annual budget and fees and charges, can be viewed at www.haveyoursay.midcoast.nsw.gov.au.

Have your say by Friday 6 June 2025.