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Council Places its Draft Management Plan on ExhibitionLast modified: May 27, 2009 - 11:43 AM
At its extraordinary meeting on 11 May 2009, Upper Hunter Shire Council endorsed its draft Management Plan, including its four (4) year Budget to be placed on exhibition for public comment between 13 May and 11 June 2009. Submissions to the draft Management Plan are welcome to be received during the exhibition period, in writing by post, to any Council office, email or facsimile. Council will undertake a round of community consultations commencing with Aberdeen on 19 May, Merriwa 21 May, Murrurundi 26 May and Scone on 28 May, 2009. These public meetings are an opportunity to provide direct input into the draft Management Plan and form the basis of submissions to Council to consider in the final adoption of Council’s Management Plan and Budget, set down for the Council meeting on 29 June 2009, in the Council Chambers, Scone. The draft Management Plan endorsed by Council includes the 3.5% increase in general rates in accordance with the NSW Rate Pegging Limit. Upper Hunter Shire Council has not applied to increase rates above this limit. Water and sewer charges, domestic waste and recycling charges, whilst not subject to rate pegging, will also be increased by a similar amount. The draft Management Plan is a balanced budget, with a focus on roads and bridges, with seven (7) new bridges to be constructed over the next four (4) financial years, whilst there is a continuation of roads, kerb and gutter, footpaths, etc, projects at similar levels to previous years. The bridge replacements are necessary to replace old timber bridges that have reached the end of their economic life where maintenance costs are no longer viable. Council will borrow some of the money needed for these bridges while interest rates are favourable. A major disappointment for Council has been the lack of the promised funding so far from the State Government for the Scone/Aberdeen Water Supply Augmentation, which has again been included for construction, subject to the subsidy announced by the State Government in its budget, this financial year. Some new capital works are planned, including extensions to the Scone Medical Centre to provide for allied health services on a full cost recovery basis, not funded from rates. Council is a diverse organisation and has purchased the former ABC Learning Centre in Scone, with the operations of this service in future years to also be undertaken on a cost neutral basis to the rate payer, whilst maintaining the service for local residents. The community of the Upper Hunter Shire are invited to obtain further information by telephoning or calling in to any of its offices during the exhibition period, viewing the documents on Council’s website, at libraries and offices, and attending any of the community consultation meetings. “It is your Council and your opportunity to participate in the process of the Management Plan and influence what Council can do to service its community. I welcome your comments in any shape or form”, Cr Michael Johnsen, Mayor, said. Contact details |
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© 2008 Upper Hunter Shire Council |
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