Later today Glen Innes Severn Council will share plans designed to help secure the region’s future for the next decade and provide opportunities and services to improve the lives of those who live and work there.
The latest business papers will be available on Council’s website just before the Easter break, a week prior to the next Ordinary Council Meeting, scheduled for Thursday 24 April. They include the Community Strategic Plan (CSP) that outlines the vision and strategic objectives for the Council for the next 10 years. The Delivery Program (DP) then details the strategies Council will employ to achieve the objectives outlined in the CSP.
Mayor Margot Davis said the community has played a vital role in shaping Council’s vision.
“This plan is designed to shape an economically diverse, socially connected, environmentally sustainable and well-serviced place to live and work—supported by fit-for-purpose infrastructure that meets both current and future needs.
“I’m looking forward to discussing those plans with my fellow councillors at the April Council meeting where your elected representatives will decide to move forward to consult with the community through a robust engagement plan,” Cr Davis said.
At that meeting, Council will vote to put the Draft Community Strategic Plan 2025-2035, Draft Delivery Program 2025-2029, Draft Revised Long Term Financial Plan 2025-2035 and Operational Plan 2025-2026 on Public Exhibition.
Council’s Long term Financial Plan (LTFP) details how Council will remain financially viable over the next 10 years.
Like many councils around NSW, Glen Innes Severn Council is experiencing costs rising faster than income—a gap expected to widen over the next decade.
This means that under current conditions, Council's General Fund is not financially sustainable. As a result, it is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain and upgrade essential infrastructure such as roads, bridges, kerbing and guttering, parks, drainage, buildings and other community assets or provide new community facilities.
This has prompted Council to consider the option of applying to the NSW Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) for a Special Rate Variation (SRV) to be implemented in 2026-2027.
If endorsed at the April Ordinary Council Meeting, a comprehensive Community Engagement Program will be conducted until 6 June. Residents and ratepayers will be encouraged to have their say on four options.
Mayor Davis added, “We know this is going to be a challenging conversation—especially at a time when the rising cost of living is placing real pressure on households. No one wants to see rates increase. However, achieving long-term financial sustainability is vital if we are to continue maintaining our infrastructure, delivering valued services, and planning for a stronger future.”
At the conclusion of the community engagement period, Council will review the feedback received and determine whether to proceed with an application to IPART for an SRV. A decision will be made at the Ordinary Council Meeting scheduled for 19 June 2025.
Anyone wishing to address Council at the Public Forum session - held immediately prior to the Ordinary Council Meeting - must make an application. Applications must be submitted by 12 noon on Tuesday, 22 April 2025
Council Meetings will continue to be live streamed and viewable on Council's website for a period of 12 months from the date of the meeting.