At its Meeting last night, Northern Beaches Council resolved to put on exhibition the draft 2020/21 Operational Plan and Budget and is seeking comment from the community.
The proposed $433 million budget includes a capital works program of $92 million and features funding for community support programs aimed at helping the region cope with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Supporting the community
- Community Care Package including Meals on Wheels, adolescent and family counselling and direct support for local agencies on the frontline helping those in need.
- Business Support Plan including fee waivers, financial hardship arrangements and financial assistance to lessees and licensees of Council property.
- Free Childcare for Families Package this partnership between Council, federal and state governments will deliver free childcare across Councils six long day care centres, two pre-schools, family day care and vacation care for up to six months.
Relief for ratepayers
Council is offering a 50% subsidy on the 2020/21 increase in rates and domestic waste charges, which will be reflected as a credit on all annual 2020/21 rates notices.
This recognises the financial pressure being felt by the community now but also ensures we can continue to fund essential services into the future.
It is one of a range of measures to help our community through this challenging period:
- 50% subsidy in the 2020/21 increase in rates and domestic waste charges providing $4.3 million in financial assistance to all ratepayers.
- Extension on due date for first 2020/21 rates payment provided to all ratepayers.
- No changes applied to fees until 1 October, saving the community $700,000.
- Financial hardship support for impacted ratepayers to defer rates payments and waive associated interest.
Investing in economic recovery
The proposed capital works program of $92 million features a number of significant infrastructure and renewal projects. Highlights include:
- $10.5 million to resurface 18km roads, renew 8km footpaths and build 4.7km of new ones
- $7.3 million to upgrade Mona Vale Surf Lifesaving Club (Council is still required to go to tender and adopt final designs)
- $3.9 million to upgrade Long Reef Surf Lifesaving Club
- $6.4 million for stormwater works to reduce flooding and pollution
- $4.9 million for Narrabeen pedestrian and cycle bridge
- $2.6 million for Warriewood Valley open space, sports, traffic and transport works
- $1.57 million for Duffys Forest Rural Fire Station new building
- $880,000 to refurbish tidal pools Clontarf and Forty Baskets
- $805,000 for Clontarf reserve playground and amenities
- $315,000 for Collaroy Beach Accessibility ramp
- $75,000 for streetscape improvements at Church Point and Balgowlah shops
- $900,000 for upgrades to Lagoon and Ivanhoe parks
In addition, the delivery of the capital works program will provide ongoing stimulus for our economy and opportunities for local employment through a program to engage local contractors on smaller projects.
Managing the impact of COVID-19
The forecast economic result from closed and impacted services and our community support packages is $8.7 million net cost for the remainder of 2019/20 and a further $7.3 million in losses is anticipated next financial year. The proposed budget also extends our community support to include a ratepayer subsidy and extend the implementation of fee changes, at an additional cost of $5 million.
The proposed budget seeks to employ a range of strategies to manage this impact while continuing a focus on the ongoing support and care packages for the community, and the deferral of some capital programs.
Mayor Michael Regan says this budget shows Council’s ability to respond to the immediate needs of its community suffering the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic while building a path to economic recovery.
“This is a time of unprecedented disruption and uncertainty for all of us. We are facing a challenge like never before, so it is critical that we get this budget right, for the future of our community,” said Mayor Regan.
“The focus is on providing for our community, our most vulnerable and our local businesses as we move through recovery phase.
“Due to good budget management over the years, we can provide support and relief for ratepayers while investing in the infrastructure needed for our community in the future.
“We have to take a sensible approach to getting the balance right; we do not want future generations on the beaches, to be paying off years of debt.
“I look forward to talking to our community and engaging with them, probably a bit more online this year, to get their views and feedback.
“We have to ensure that together we overcome today’s challenges to build a strong future,” Mayor Regan said.
Media Enquiries: media@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au 9942 2678