Last year we recognised the was a need to address our financial situation, we understood the implications to our community and sought independent advice.

An independent consultant was engaged to deliver a Financial Sustainability Review. The final report from AEC outlined the following key areas to address.

• Identification of operational efficiencies and productivity improvements.
• Reduction in service provision – levels and/or range of services
• Reduction in debt through sale of surplus assets.
• Increase in revenue from operations through increase in service fees, rates and/or charges.

Here is a quick overview of how the plan has evolved and the internal stakeholders we have engaged to influence its development.

1. Plan Definition

We worked with Executive Leadership Team and Councillors to define our approach. While staff and Senior Leadership have supported an internal program to identify ideas.

2. Plan Creation

Ideas generated from existing and new efficiency and improvements were quantified to prioritise our draft actions supported by our Senior Leadership Team and approved by the Executive Leadership Team.

3. Plan Consideration

Our engagement program will ensure community, stakeholders and Advisory Committees have their say before it is adopted for implementation.

Great question, to deliver this plan we have undertaken an in-depth analysis before defining where, when and how we deliver. We recognise this is a whole of organisation's commitment so we have addressed our strategies and the resourcing frameworks that support them.

Next step, we begin to review ourselves across our operations and services. We will be seeking and identifying efficiencies, improvements and sustainable practices.

Finally, our plan will undergo regular measurements during its implementation. This will ensure outcomes reflect their intended action and the impact supports our organisations sustainability.

Right now, the need for this plan heavily influenced elements in the annual Operational Plan, Budget and Fees and Charges. Which you can review by visiting the related projects below. These draft plans will be on public exhibition for 28 days.

The plan will guide the organisation towards financial sustainable services, strategies and delivery. If we do this now, the impacts of future Special Rate Variations will be reduced. We want to minimise impacts towards a fiscally responsible future.

Council resolved to defer the recommendation from the independent review, towards consideration of a Special Rate Variation application to Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal NSW (IPART) until 2025/2026.

However, we need a multifaceted approach and to continue to explore all initiatives and recommendations of the independent review.