Bathurst Regional Council is set to reveal the biggest budget in its history when it meets tonight ahead of placing its draft 2016-17 annual operating plan on public exhibition for a month.
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It is then expected to be signed off when council meets in June.
City treasurer Bob Roach has come up with a big spending document of more than $210 million. It is underpinned by a host of capital works initiatives, including an incredible 80 projects that come in at $100,000 or more.
The single big ticket item is a hefty $15 million towards the second track Velocity Park development at Mount Panorama.
There’s also $5 million for a new water supply network to service to expanding residential estates at Kelso.
Another $5 million is earmarked for a community arts centre while $4.4 million is heading for continuing flood mitigation works.
Stage 2 of the Adventure Playground will have a $2 million injection of funds a a new Meals on Wheels building will cost $1.5 million.
Sport is again a feature of the budget with $1.2 million going towards the construction of two new rugby league fields on Hereford Street and $1 million for the clubhouse.
A lighting upgrade at Carrington Park is set down for a $400,000 spend while $150,000 will go towards improving the ground’s existing change rooms.
Restoration of four netball courts at the local complex has also attracted funding to the tune of $150,000.
Other items that come in over the half million dollar mark include work on the Railway Institute Building ($562,000), aerodrome boundary fencing ($550,000), extension of the aircraft parking apron at the airport ($550,000) and Roads to Recover work on Gormans Hill Road ($500,000).
According to Mr Roach’s report to tonight’s meeting the general purpose rate increase will be 1.8 per cent. Water rates and charges will go up five per cent as well sewerage rates and charges and domestic waste charges. Staff salaries and wages will also see an increase of five per cent.
Mayor of Bathurst Gary Rush said there will be no financial impact on ratepayers outside the CPI increase on general rates of 1.8 per cent.
He said that two years ago council determined it would continue to strengthen its balance sheet by increasing its assets, particularly where expenditure results in productive infrastructure, or infrastructure that has the ability to produce revenue like the new BMX facility. Council currently has $1.08 billion in assets.
“Bathurst is one of the strongest regional councils anywhere in the country,” Cr Rush said. “We are in an enviable position financially.”
