Council Adopts Key Strategic and Operational Documents
Published on 01 July 2022
Following public exhibition, five key strategic and operational documents were adopted by Leeton Shire Council at its June Ordinary Council meeting.
Council resolved to adopt the 2022/23 Operational Plan, Budget and Revenue Policy (including the Schedule of Fees and Charges) as well as the Delivery Program 2022–2025 and Long–Term Financial Plan 2022–2032.
Combined, these documents provide a guide to Council’s operations and help Council meet community demands for services and infrastructure by maximising what it can achieve with its available resources.
Council’s General Manager Jackie Kruger said the 2022/23 capital works program is largely one of completion and includes works on important community projects.
“This includes the Roxy Community Theatre Redevelopment, Leeton Regional Aquatic Centre waterslide, CBD Enhancement Stage 3 – Chelmsford Place Town Square, expansion of our fully accessible public toilet facilities and Wamoon Sewer Scheme,” said Mrs Kruger.
“Other ‘business as usual’ capital works projects – such as our reseal, rehabilitation and heavy patching program for sealed roads – will continue,” she added.
A number of projects to stimulate the Shire’s economy will also continue in 2022/23, including the expansion of the Leeton Early Learning Centre and progressing of the WRConnect freight intermodal.
Council will continue to advocate for enhancements to local health service provision and for sensible water policy that ensures our local agricultural industries thrive.
Council’s Communications Coordinator Mrs Monica Armanini said that Council received twenty-five submissions on the documents during the recent public exhibition period.
Several changes were made at the Council meeting to the 2022/23 Revenue Policy and Fees and Charges in response to these submissions.
For the first time, Council will be charging fees for domestic waste taken to landfill. This was done after carefully considering how to fund numerous waste management mandates from State and Federal Governments.
As a result of resident feedback, Council has added a reduced fee of $5 per load if the waste is sorted, and less than 10% of that waste is mixed waste destined for the landfill.
“This means if residents take the time to do the right thing and separate the recycling items out to minimise minimal waste entering the landfill, they will save $10.00 on the new landfill fee,” said Council’s Manager Environmental Sustainability, Luke Tedesco.
Residents are reminded that they can drop off problem wastes at the Leeton Landfill and Recycling Centre all year round, free of charge to help the local environment.
Mayor Tony Reneker thanked all residents who gave feedback during the public exhibition of the documents.
“The endorsed Delivery Program and Operational Plan is our commitment to achieving Council’s vision for a sustainable and successful future for Leeton Shire," he said.
Mayor Reneker said that Council also understands that there are some challenges in achieving sustainability into the future.
“Council’s Long-Term Financial Plan presents a vision for the next ten years and a strong starting point for us to continue to have conversations with our community about service expectations and subsequent costs associated with them,” he said.
“Over the next few months, Council will conduct an extensive engagement program to determine community preferences about measures for ensuring Leeton Shire Council remains financially sustainable.”
The 2022/23 Operational Plan, Budget and Revenue Policy (including the Schedule of Fees and Charges), Delivery Program 2022–2025 and Long–Term Financial Plan 2022–2032 can be found on Council’s website www.leeton.nsw.gov.au