Will Harden-Murrumburrah have a Council office in 10 years time?
Hilltops Council’s Long Term Financial Plan 2018-2028 is on display until Thursday June 21, where the community can provide feedback to the Council regarding the 10 year plan. It is projected that by years end, Council’s net operating result will be in the red to the tune of -$3,935,219 and -$8,255,776 before Grants and contributions for capital purposes.
2019 sees the following data detailed; Rates and annual charges, $21,505,204. User Fees and charges are $17,011,878, whilst interest and investment revenue provides $1,237,046. Grants and contributions for operating purposes total $14,977,735, whilst Grants and contributions for capital purposes total $14,271,221. Other revenues total $675,911. Total income is estimated at $69,678,995 with expenses of $57,412,568.
Council will be in the red -$2,004,794 with its net operating result before grants and contributions provided for capital purposes are taken into account. The Consolidated Income Statement shows rates increasing from $21,505,204 in 2019 to $29,248,588 in 2028. An increase of 36% across 10 years.
Fees and Charges are set at $17,011,878 in 2019 and $26,362,100 in 2028. An increase of 54.96% Grants and contributions for operating purposes and capital purposes for 2019 are estimated at a total of $29,248,956. Whilst the figure for operational purposes rises gradually to $17,453,369 by 2028 the figure for capital purposes decreases dramatically to $1,360,659 by 2023. It is clear that Council will continue to rely heavily on funds from government to survive and increases in rates and annual charges as well as user fees and charges. What this means is that it is the residents who will foot the bill for the forced merger of Harden, Boorowa and Young into Hilltops Council.
This won’t only affect land owners but renters whose rent will likely increase to cover costs for the landlords. It is predicted that Council will have income of $77,017,180 and expenses of $61,391,050 in 2028. This provides a net operating result of $15,626,130 in the black. Whether this will be the case or not is yet to be determined.
Who knows exactly what will happen in 10 years time?
12 years ago residents wouldn’t have believed the local abattoirs would be shut along with the railway with up to 150 jobs lost. 3 local pubs shut and a Council merger forced upon residents with former Maher Cup rivals, Young. One doesn’t wish to be pessimistic, however, where will Harden be in 10 year’s time? Will it still have a high-school with numbers at 124 and plans afoot to grow other schools in the area? Will it have any industry? Pepe’s Ducks has not brought large scale employment to replace either the railway losses or the abattoir. Does major investment need to be brought to town by Council actively seeking businesses to move to the area? or should the Kruger Trust provide financial concessions to bring industry from the city to the bush. Will it be a retirement village with few prospects for young adults or is this already the case?
The following projects are unfunded future projects where there is no provision in the LTFP for Sewerage in Jugiong, heating of any pools, any increase in levels of service associated with a new library, increased levels of service / remediation’s with the waste service, any increases as a result of the Integrated Water Cycle Management Study, water pipeline from Harden to Boorowa, gas pipeline to Harden, Rural Fire Service Control Centre ongoing increases, any increases to asset renewal levels as a result of Asset Management Plans. The Times would like to know what it’s readers think, good or bad about the future of the twin towns and surrounds. Jump online and have a look at the Long Term Financial Plan 2018-2028 and tell us what you think. Alternatively head in to the Council offices and have a look at a hard copy.
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