Looking ahead

Community Strategic Plan

Our Community Strategic Plan sets out how we work to serve the community and meet their needs in the future. We conducted a community satisfaction survey in March 2020 – these valuable insights help us to direct and adapt activities tailored to the needs of this diverse community.

Our priorities for improvement are:

• improving public transport • managing traffic and congestion • planning for outdoor parks and recreation

We have commenced a review of our Community Strategic Plan and undertaken significant engagement with our community and stakeholders. Consultation with our new Councillors will be undertaken during February 2022 and a draft Plan will be prepared for further community engagement prior to being endorsed by Council in June 2022.

Budget 2021/22

The 2021/22 budget is projecting an operating deficit of $4.5 million.

Key aspects of the budget include:

• New or renewed community assets to the value of $42.9 million. • Implementation of productivity improvements and cost efficiencies identified in the adopted Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) application continues • No reduction in grants or subsidies to community groups • Retention of the expiring former Hurstville Special Rate

Variation (approved in full by IPART in May 2021). • Application of the New Rates 2021 Special Rate Variation to increase rate income, which includes retention of the expiring former Hurstville Special Rate Variation (approved in full by IPART in May 2021). • Expansion of Council hardship payment support options • Segregation of funds to ensure footpaths, playgrounds, building, roads, stormwater and other key assets are repaired and renewed. • No new loan borrowings • Employee costs budget target with the annual award increase of 2% being absorbed by the application of savings strategy • Reduction in consultancies through a greater investment in-house skills • Strict application of the pricing methodology to fees and charges with an aim of cost recovery • Depreciation increase due to the construction of new assets and rising cost of replacement • Continued obligation to repay the Mortdale Jubilee

Community Centre external loan ($500,000 annual repayment from general revenue) • The scheduled 2021 Election of $1 million has been funded • Anticipated costs associated with debt recovery as a result of COVID-19 impacts • Disposal of underperforming assets, including plant and properties to offset loss of income due to COVID-19 and investment interest income drop ($3.3 million income)

2021/22 capital works program

Each year, a number of major capital projects are identified as ‘top projects’. The projects below were identified in June 2021 as the top capital projects for 2021/22. The capital works program progress will be reported on a quarterly basis to Council and forecast expenditure is anticipated to be $42.9 million.

Highlights include:

• Hurstville Golf Course Clubhouse project • Mortdale Shopping Centre Streetscape • Hurstville Revitalisation (NSW Government –

Public Spaces Legacy Program) • Fleet and Plant Replacement Program • Road Re-sheeting Program • Critical Safety and Asset Renewal program • Decontamination and Remediation of the Kogarah

War Memorial Site • Storm water Drainage Critical Program • Footpath Critical Safety Program • Olds Park Master Plan Implementation • The Green Sports Amenities Building • Kogarah Streetscape Upgrade • Former Oatley Bowling Club Masterplan Works • Annual Library Resource Renewal • Cultural Event Assets • Information Management and Technology (Cyber

Security, computer/device hardware and software implementation)